Once again, we thought she was up against the wall and once again, Leylah Fernandez bounced back.
Less than a week after saving five match points to win the final in Monterrey, the Quebecer erased four yesterday, in the second round of the Indian Wells tournament, before seeing American Amanda Anisimova concede victory to her over abandonment.
A rather unexpected 2-6 and 7-6 (0) victory for the 18th seed, who played in the evening, on a crowded court number 2, his first meeting of the tournament.
Because the 19-year-old left-hander seemed on her way to missing her comeback in the Californian desert, where she reached the round of 16 last fall. Faced with the promising 43rd in the world, the Lavalloise struggled in service, placing only 54% of her first services in play and winning only 55% of the points disputed on them.
Difficult, in such circumstances, to hope to win. But that was without counting on Fernandez’s strength of character, which has often gotten her out of trouble in recent months.
rare occasions
Trailing late in the second set, Leylah first erased a match point on her serve, before overcoming a 40-0 deficit on her 20-year-old rival.
She then pushed the set to the tiebreaker, during which she laminated Anisimova 7-0. The latter then went to see the referee to tell him that there would be no final round, because she felt sick.
If she said she was disappointed that the confrontation ended so abruptly, the Quebecer also went there for advice on the ground, after her victory.
“When she told me she was sick, I immediately hoped she was better so that we have more good matches in the future,” Fernandez said.
” The key [quand on fait face à une balle de match], is to have fun, she continued to the cheers of the crowd. These are rare occasions in a lifetime. You’re falling behind, but you’re still there. We have to look for solutions and this time, I was able to find them. »
A remake of last year
Fernandez will find a familiar face in the next round. She will face another local favorite tomorrow, the American Shelby Rogers, 49th in the world, who beat her in three sets at this same stage of the tournament last year.
The 29-year-old has two career wins against Leylah. She also eliminated her in Lexington two years ago.