Quebecer Leylah Fernandez was unable to defeat American Alycia Parks, losing 7-5, 6-4 on Wednesday in the second round of the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Fernandez (35e) let a 5-2 lead slip away in the first inning by giving up five consecutive games. She then started the second set by winning the first game with balls in hand, but Parks (82e) managed a third break to make it 2-1.
The Canadian erased three break points at 3-1 to keep hope alive, but she was unable to return to even service. She then withstood Parks’ first two match points, but the American put the finishing touches on her third opportunity.
Parks had 13 aces in this match, compared to none for Fernandez.
A finalist at the 2021 U.S. Open, Fernandez has only advanced to the third round of a Grand Slam tournament once since. It was at Roland-Garros, in 2022.
Parks, 23, advances to the third round of a major tournament for the first time in his career. She will cross swords with her compatriot Coco Gauff, fourth seed.
In doubles, Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski was to begin her journey with her New Zealand partner Erin Routliffe, but Nadia Podoroska and Mayar Sherif withdrew.
Dabrowski and Routliffe – who won the US Open together in 2023 – will meet the American Ashlyn Krueger and the Czech Linda Fruhvirtova on Thursday.
Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime (30e) will play his second round match against Frenchman Hugo Grenier (178th).
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