National Bank Open | Leylah Fernandez loss in the 2nd round in Toronto

(Toronto) Quebecer Leylah Fernandez was defeated in the second round at the National Bank Open in Toronto.

Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia, 24^e in the world, surprised the 13^e seeded 7-6 (4) 6-1.

Maia had the upper hand 4-2 for breaks and 5-1 for aces, winning in 98 minutes.

The Brazilian will have a heavy task in the third round, when she will play against the favorite Iga Swiatek.

Fernandez was playing in his first tournament after missing two months with a broken right foot.

The score was 3-3 on the deadlock, after which Maia took control with a game winner, an unforced error from her rival and a spike, in that order.

Maia raced to victory after leading 3-0 in the second set.

Ontario’s Bianca Andreescu will conclude the evening program against Alizé Cornet, after the Serena Williams-Belinda Bencic match.

Camila Giorgi defeats Elise Mertens

Italy’s Camila Giorgi continued her title defense by defeating Belgium’s Elise Mertens 6-3, 7-5, in the second round.

Giorgi, who triumphed in Montreal in 2021, needed 92 minutes to beat her 37-ranked rival^e in the world.

Mertens was opportunistic, taking advantage of each of the three break points she got. However, she was the victim of five breaks of service during the game.

Ranked 29^e in the world, Giorgi will face in the next round Jessica Pegula, who defeated fellow American, Asia Muhammad.

Easy victory for Swiatek

Swiatek made short work of Australian Ajla Tomljanovic. The Pole won 6-1, 6-2 in 64 minutes.

American Coco Gauff struggled for two hours and 49 minutes before beating Kazakh Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-7 (8), 7-6 (3).

Both players multiplied powerful shots, but Rybakina was ultimately handicapped by a low first-serve rate of 45.5%.

Finalist last year, the Czech Karolina Pliskova, 14^e seeded American Amanda Anisimova 6-1, 6-1.