Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian tennis player, seized an early lead but faced a tough challenge before overcoming Tereza Valentova from the Czech Republic with a 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 victory in the final match of the Japan Women’s Open on Saturday night. The 23-year-old Fernandez from Laval, Que., swiftly claimed the first set in just 28 minutes. However, the 18-year-old Valentova rallied back, extending the match to nearly two hours at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka.
This win marked Fernandez’s second title of 2025 and the fifth of her career, following her triumph at the Washington Open earlier this year. Expressing gratitude after the match, Fernandez credited her coach and father, Jorge Fernandez, along with her team and family for their unwavering support. She acknowledged their sacrifices and encouragement, emphasizing that their dedication played a pivotal role in her success.
During the game, Fernandez showcased her skills with three aces, seven winners, and minimal errors, including four unforced errors and two double faults. She outperformed Valentova by winning 43 points while receiving, compared to Valentova’s 31. Fernandez demonstrated a 70% win rate on her first serve and a 46% success rate on the second serve. She successfully defended five out of nine break points, while Valentova managed to save nine out of 16.
Looking ahead, Fernandez is set to compete in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, facing off against Maria Sakkari from Greece. This change came after a draw update shifted her initial match against Victoria Mboko from Toronto. Meanwhile, Mboko will now challenge Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, Ont., in an all-Canadian first-round clash.
