There are not a thousand ways to explain Leylah Annie Fernandez’s loss in the round of 16 at the Indian Wells tournament on Tuesday night. The Quebecer simply came up against better than her. Paula Badosa managed to advance to the next round with a 6-4, 6-4 victory
Posted at 11:10 p.m.
The defending champion of the event was waiting for Fernandez with a firm footing. The left-hander had had a rocky start to the tournament. After an early forfeit victory and a three-set victory over Shelby Rodgers on Monday, Fernandez had had some good times, but she had also struggled at other times. She had no room for error against Badosa, certainly one of the best players in the world for 18 months.
Seventh player in the world ranking, the Spaniard played balanced tennis and forced Fernandez out of her game plan. Badosa remained calm and pushed the Quebecer to produce unforced errors at key moments.
Even though she didn’t have much service, including seven double faults, she still managed to win thanks to smoldering backhands and remarkable sequences.
Badosa wasn’t necessarily at the top of her game, given the stubborn opposition that offered her Fernandez, but in the end, experience will have kicked in and she’s found a way to win.
The 24-year-old athlete feels comfortable in the desert: “I love playing here, I feel good, but it wasn’t easy against Leylah who is a great player. I was strong mentally and at the start of the game I wanted to be aggressive throughout the game. I think that was the key today,” she explained in midfield after the game.
Nevertheless, Fernandez does not have to be ashamed of his performance. The 19-year-old used a nice variety of shots, but simply lacked opportunism.
Fernandez’s tournament is not over, however. With her partner Alizée Cornet, she will play the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles tournament on Thursday afternoon.
About ten days ago, the Quebecer won the second title of her career at the Monterrey tournament in Mexico.