In a match lasting more than three hours, Quebecer Leylah Fernandez lost Saturday in the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open to Jessica Pegula, the queen of the last two editions of the National Bank Open.
After three hours and four minutes, the American prevailed 7-5, 6-7 (1) and 7-6 (3).
The 12th game of the final set required 18 points, after which Pegula settled the second tiebreaker without much trouble.
Pegula is the sixth seed in the tournament, while Fernandez is ranked 26th in women’s tennis.
The Canadian overcame a 0-4 deficit in the second set, even taking a 5-4 lead. In the next game, however, she wasted three break points and her rival was able to level the score.
Fernandez dominated the first tiebreaker with a line drive, a passing shot and an excellent serve to seal the fight.
In the last set, the Laval player fought well after falling behind by 0-3, winning the next three games.
Fernandez, however, ran out of resources after a sprawling 12th game.
She is scheduled to play doubles in the evening alongside Yulia Putintseva, against Linda Noskova and Diana Shnaider.
Pegula got seven breaks, one more than the Quebecer.
Pegula is undefeated in her last eight games. On Sunday, she will face Paula Badosa or Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The other semi-final will pit favourite Iga Swiatek against Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.