Leylah Fernandez wins DC Open, wins biggest title of her career

The victory capped an emotional week for Fernandez, a 2021 US Open finalist who beat top seed Jessica Pegula and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on her way to her fourth career title.

From the start of the match, Fernandez dominated his opponent, constantly pressing his opponent on the baseline - and chasing almost every ball. But when victory was in sight, with the score at 4-1 in the second set, Fernandez suddenly became quite nervous!

She lost the first two points of her serve. At that moment, the Tennis Channel commentators had to mention: "Complicated developments are inevitable". However, all worries disappeared when Fernandez accelerated and won 4 consecutive points...

A satisfying result after a period of poor form. Fernandez had entered the tournament in Washington DC in a state of confusion, having not won a single title in nearly two years. Her record at the Grand Slams was also poor.

But in stifling heat and humidity and on a hard court that suited her style of play, she defeated a host of world- class players, putting in a sublime performance - reminiscent of the miracle at Flushing Meadows four years ago.

The DC Open title is Leylah's fourth career title, and her first since winning in Hong Kong in 2023. This victory helped Leylah pocket nearly $200,000 in prize money and 500 bonus points on the WTA rankings.

The result gave Fernandez renewed confidence that her run to the final and runner-up finish at the US Open was no “flash in the pan” – that she still had the ability to compete with the top players for major titles.

Also experiencing the same struggles after the 2021 US Open as Emma Raducanu, Leylah shared with the WTA homepage about an hour after the match: "It was mainly due to my own expectations. I played great tennis in New York, a lot of my shots went right."

“At some point, after a memorable 2021, I did let my guard down a bit. To be fair, my coach (and father, Jorge) warned me about it, but I was too naive to believe him,” Fernandez confided in her heart.

“Also to say: ‘No, I still have to keep working, I have to keep winning my place. It’s not going to be easy from now on. So, after the US Open 2021, it’s hard to get over that. And it’s still hard, because we’re still tied to that result until we both have another good result.’

“Winning this title is not only great for my confidence and belief in myself, but also for my team and my family. We have been through a lot of difficult moments in the past few years,” Fernandez shared honestly about the past 2 years...

“This trophy shows how much they fought. And it shows me that if they can overcome difficulties, I can do it in a little tennis match with a rebound ball. That's the goal and the spirit,” said Fernandez.

According to D.HG./Sai Gon Giai Phong Newspaper

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Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/leylah-fernandez-dang-quang-dc-open-gianh-danh-hieu-lon-nhat-su-nghiep-157066.html