Australian Open | Leylah Fernandez eliminated in second round

(Melbourne) 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 (35^e) 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 (82^e) 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 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 will meet the American Ashlyn Krueger and the Czech Linda Fruhvirtova on Thursday.

Ons Jabeur was dismissed in the second round at the Australian Open, beaten 6-0, 6-2 by 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva on Wednesday.

Finalist among the juniors in Melbourne last year, the Russian took advantage of 24 unforced errors from the sixth seed. The match lasted only 54 minutes.

Andreeva is the first player to advance to the third round at Melbourne Park this year.

“I was really nervous before the match because I’m really inspired by Ons and the way she plays,” Andreeva said.

“Before I came to the WTA, I always watched his matches and I was always very inspired. And there, I had the chance to play against her. »

The match was played under the roof of Rod Laver Arena, with rain delaying the start of matches on the outdoor courts by several hours.

Caroline Wozniacki, champion in Australia in 2018, lost 1-6, 6-4 and 6-1 to Maria Tomafeeva, a 20-year-old Russian.

Tomafeeva is in her first career major singles tournament.

Wozniacki had two children before returning to the women’s circuit last year, after an absence of three and a half years.

“I’m a little speechless,” Tomafeeva said. It was an honor to face him. I had no expectations for the result, but I savored every moment. »

In the men’s event, Jannik Sinner, seeded fourth, defeated Jesper de Jong 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.

Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka will be featured later on Wednesday.

Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam singles title here 12 months ago. She will face Brenda Fruhvirtova, a 16-year-old Czech.

Djokovic, a 10-time tournament winner, will play local prospect Alexei Popyrin.