Fernandez Claims First japan Open Title in Thrilling Comeback
TOKYO – Leylah Fernandez secured her fifth career tour title Sunday, winning teh japan Open after a hard-fought three-set victory over 18-year-old valentova. The 23-year-old Canadian, ranked 27th in the world, overcame a second-set setback to triumph 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Fernandez’s win marks her first title in approximately three months, following her victory at the Mubadala City Open in Washington, D.C. in July. This was her second appearance at the Japan Open, having previously lost in the first round in 2019 when ranked 64th. The tournament saw Fernandez navigate a challenging path, defeating H. Baptist (USA), D. galfi (Hungary),R. Slamkova (Slovakia), and S. Cirstea (Romania) en route to the final.
The final began strongly for Fernandez, who broke Valentova’s serve in the second game and held to take the first set. However, Valentova battled back in the second, securing a crucial break in the 11th game to level the match at one set apiece.
In the deciding set, Fernandez regained control, breaking Valentova in the fourth game.Despite Valentova breaking back, Fernandez secured another break in the eighth game to close out the match and claim the championship. Following the victory, Fernandez showed her respect for the local culture with a customary Japanese bow to the crowd. Valentova was competing for her first tour-level title, finishing as runner-up.
