Leylah Fernandez has secured her fifth title on the WTA Tour!
The talented Canadian player, seeded fourth, triumphed over Tereza Valentova of Czechia, ranked 78th in the world, with a score of 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 during the final match at the Japan Open this past Sunday.
This victory marks Fernandez’s second championship win of the year, having previously clinched the title in Washington over the summer.
In her eighth final appearance, the former US Open finalist dominated the first set in just 29 minutes. However, Valentova regained her composure in the second set and managed to equalize by breaking Fernandez in a tense 12th game.
In the decisive third set, the 27th-ranked Fernandez achieved a pivotal break in the fourth game and skillfully held off a late surge from the Czech competitor.
Fernandez enjoyed a favorable route to the title in Japan, facing no seeded opponents throughout her campaign. She won five consecutive matches after experiencing tough losses in three-setters at her previous tournaments in China against notable players like Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka.
This victory at the WTA 250 event will elevate Fernandez, hailing from Laval, Quebec, by three spots in the rankings to position No. 21, reclaiming her status as the top Canadian player, surpassing the struggling Victoria Mboko.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Valentova was making her debut in a WTA final.
