Heartbreak almost struck, but Leylah Fernandez refused to let it! After a nail-biting match against Rebecca Sramkova at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Osaka, Fernandez clinched a spot in the semifinals, winning 7-6 (2), 6-3 in a hard-fought 1 hour and 34 minutes. But here's where it gets controversial... some might say Sramkova played a stronger game overall, statistically. Was Fernandez just lucky, or was there more to her victory?
For those wanting to follow the tournament more closely, you can find the latest scores, draws, and order of play on the official WTA Tennis website.
Fernandez, seeded No. 4, faced a significant challenge. She trailed Sramkova late in the first set, putting immense pressure on her. But showing incredible resilience, she broke back to force a tiebreak. And what a tiebreak it was! Fernandez dominated, seizing control and shifting the momentum in her favor. The second set presented another hurdle, with Fernandez falling behind 2-0 early on. But she quickly regrouped, demonstrating her championship mettle by winning four consecutive games, turning the tide and establishing a firm lead.
In her post-match interview, Fernandez highlighted the importance of that first-set comeback. "When I was able to break back in the first set, that gave me momentum going into the tiebreaker," she explained. "In the second set, she started strong and I knew it was going to happen, but I’m glad I stayed positive and continued putting pressure on her while enjoying the battle.” This positive mindset is exactly what many tennis coaches try to instill in their students, as tennis can be a very mental game.
Now, Fernandez is set to face either Viktorija Golubic or Sorana Cirstea for a coveted place in the final. Both present unique challenges. Golubic is a familiar opponent, while Cirstea would be a completely new test. More on that later!
And this is the part most people miss... the match was incredibly close! Fernandez only won three more total points than Sramkova (52-49). This slim margin underscores just how fiercely contested the match was. Both players showcased exceptional serving skills, particularly in the first set, making each point a battle.
Let's break down the serving stats. Fernandez served well, landing 68% of her first serves and winning 67% of those points in the first set. Her second serve was also effective, winning 54% of those points. She only faced two break points in the first set, saving one in the opening game and then another at 5-5. She faced only one more break point in the second set, showing how well she defended her serve. Sramkova, on the other hand, placed 53% of her first serves in the first set, winning 72% of those points and 50% on her second serve. These numbers illustrate just how dominant the serves were from both sides, making it difficult for either player to gain a significant advantage. Remember, in tennis, even a small advantage can be the difference between winning and losing.
Related News: Keep up with everything happening at the Japan Open! Naomi Osaka unfortunately withdrew from the tournament due to a left thigh injury, allowing Jaqueline Cristian to advance to the semifinals. Also, Elena Rybakina is fighting to keep her WTA Finals hopes alive after making it into the Ningbo quarterfinal, as is Jasmine Paolini.
Fernandez has been on a roll with fast starts, winning the opening set in five of her last six matches, including all three in Osaka. This season, she boasts an impressive 23-3 record when winning the first set, closing out 21 of those victories in straight sets. A strong start is often crucial for building confidence and dictating the flow of the match.
Interestingly, one of those three losses after winning the first set came against Sramkova in Mexico in August. So, this Osaka match was a chance for Fernandez to even the score! On Friday, Sramkova threatened a comeback, saving three match points while trailing 5-3 in the second set. But Fernandez, demonstrating her killer instinct, sealed the win with one final break.
Looking ahead, this match evened the head-to-head record between Fernandez and Sramkova at 1-1, setting the stage for future encounters. Fernandez's next challenge will be against either Golubic, whom she has defeated twice before (most recently last year in Birmingham after rallying from a set down, and in straight sets in Monterrey in 2021), or Cirstea, who would be a first-time opponent. A victory in the semifinals would propel Fernandez to her second final of the season and her first since claiming the title in Washington, D.C., back in July.
So, what do you think? Did Fernandez truly dominate, or was Sramkova's performance underrated? Can Fernandez go all the way and win the title in Osaka? And how will she fare against either Golubic or Cirstea? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
