Olaniyi AyoolaCanadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez made a triumphant return to home soil, overcoming Australian qualifier Storm Sanders in a grueling three-set battle at the National Bank Open in Toronto. In her first match since sustaining a foot injury at Roland Garros, the 19-year-old from Laval, Quebec, displayed resilience and determination to secure a 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-3 victory.
The match, delayed by rain and stretching over two hours and 41 minutes, tested Fernandez’s physical and mental fortitude. She clinched the first set after capitalizing on a double fault from Sanders. However, the Australian fought back in the second set, saving two match points and dominating the tiebreak to level the match. In the decisive third set, Fernandez broke early and held her nerve during a marathon 20-point game at 4-3, ultimately sealing the win with a final break.
Fernandez’s performance was buoyed by an enthusiastic home crowd, whose energy she credited for lifting her spirits throughout the match. “The crowd did wonders for me,” she said. “I was feeling their emotions. I was feeling their cheers. The energy that they were able to give me from the very first point all the way to the last, it was phenomenal.”
This victory marked Fernandez’s first main-draw win at the National Bank Open in her third appearance, a significant milestone following her recovery from injury. She expressed satisfaction with her physical condition post-match, stating, “My body feels amazing. So that’s a huge positive. That’s the biggest win that I can ask for.”
Looking ahead, Fernandez is set to face Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round, aiming to build on her momentum and continue her comeback on the WTA Tour.
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