Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez secured her ticket to the round of 16 at the French Open, a first for her, after beating Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
The 17th-seeded Fernandez served twice for the game and the second served. She prevailed in three sets of 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 against a 14th seeded rival. She thus avenged her compatriot Bianca Andreescu, defeated by Bencic in the previous round.
Last year’s US Open runner-up, who was often betrayed by her serve – eight double faults – offered herself six break points over the course of the match.
The 19-year-old Fernandez often showed grit during the match, such as when she erased two set points in the first set before winning the last three games. Or at the start of the third set when she erased a 0-2 deficit.
In the next round, Fernandez will face American Amanda Anisimova, who took advantage of Karolina Muchova’s forfeit.
Félix Auger-Aliassime, 9th seed, is currently facing Serbian Filip Krajinovic in the third round of the Paris tournament.
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