Olaniyi AyoolaLeylah Annie Fernandez delivered a commanding performance in Abu Dhabi to advance to the quarterfinals, defeating New Zealand’s Lulu Sun in straight sets. The Canadian left-hander, known for her gritty style and relentless baseline play, looked sharp and composed throughout the match. Her 6-3, 6-2 win is one of her most dominant displays this season and signals that she may be building momentum at just the right time on the WTA calendar.
Fernandez opened the match with purpose, immediately applying pressure on Sun’s serve. She moved fluidly across the court, showing off her trademark footwork and taking the ball early to disrupt her opponent’s rhythm. Her returns were deep and consistent, often forcing errors from Sun, who struggled to establish any control from the baseline. Fernandez broke serve early in the first set and never looked back, maintaining a high first-serve percentage and controlling the tempo with clever shot selection.
In the second set, Fernandez raised her level even further. She mixed up her play with timely net approaches and some aggressive down-the-line winners that kept Sun guessing. The Canadian also made very few unforced errors, showcasing improved maturity and match management. Sun, despite flashes of resilience, could not match Fernandez’s intensity or execution on key points. The match ended in just over an hour, with Fernandez converting her third match point with a perfectly placed cross-court forehand.
This victory marks Fernandez’s first appearance in the Abu Dhabi quarterfinals and underscores her steady rise back into form after a series of tough matches earlier in the season. The 21-year-old has often been praised for her tenacity and fighting spirit, and this win adds another chapter to her growing résumé on tour. She will next face a higher-seeded opponent, but based on her current form and confidence, she is well positioned to challenge for a spot in the semifinals.
The win also gives her valuable ranking points and momentum as the tour heads into the summer hard court swing. Fernandez’s fans will be hoping this performance is a sign of more consistent results ahead. For now, though, the spotlight is firmly on her Abu Dhabi campaign, where she looks to continue her impressive run.
Musa
