In the first all-Canadian clash since Indian Wells, Victoria Mboko came out on top against Leylah Annie Fernandez in the Internationaux de Strasbourg quarter-finals on Thursday.
This was the second-career meeting between Canada’s top two after battling in the Hong Kong semis in November. Mboko was victorious once again, this time winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.
The Canadian No. 1 had the edge for much of the match, going on a dominant run in the opener before taking the one-set advantage. Mboko began the second with two-consecutive breaks, part of her four on the day, as she wrapped up the contest in just over 90 minutes.
After Fernandez won the opening five points of the match, Mboko soon took a convincing hold of the first set. From 0-1, love-15, the Burlingtonian took 15 of the next 16 rallies to get the chance to increase her lead at 1-3, love-40, as she converted on the second attempt. Mboko found some success on her backhand over that span, firing four winners with the two hander.
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The 19-year-old had triple set point on serve at 5-2, 40-love, but a resilient Fernandez managed to battle back and stay alive in the opener thanks to a Mboko double fault on break point. The Lavalloise dug herself out of another hole in the ensuing game, saving two more set points to hold from 15-40.
With a second opportunity to serve out the opener, Mboko went on the attack at 5-4, 40-15, and finally sealed the set.
The Canadian No. 1 went up a break right out of the gates in the second, coupling the loss of serve with a hold to go 2-0 in front. Mboko then broke to love to extend her early advantage, but Fernandez returned the favour to stay within reach at 1-3. The Lavalloise fought through three break points in the ensuing game before she consolidated her break to cut the deficit to 2-3.
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Fernandez’s best chance to even the set came at 4-3, love-30, but Mboko’s serve and forehand powered her to the important hold. With match point at 5-4, 40-30, the Burlingtonian appropriately finished off the contest with a backhand winner to reach her first WTA clay-court semifinal.
Mboko meets world No. 33 Jaqueline Cristian on Friday with a spot in the Strasbourg title match on the line.
Feature Photo: Martin Sidorjak
