By Alberto Amalfi | Saturday, October 14, 2023

 

Leylah Fernandez fended off Anna Blinkova 6-2, 7-5 to reach her first final of the year in Hong Kong where she will face Katerina Siniakova for the title.

Photo credit: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Dancing helps Leylah Fernandez decompress from the stress of the pro circuit.

Finding her hard-court groove, Fernandez high-stepped into her first final of the year in Hong Kong.

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Former US Open finalist Fernandez fended off Anna Blinkova 6-2, 7-5 to reach the Hong Kong final.

"This match was extremely tough," Fernandez said. "Anna, she's a tremendous player, very powerful, and she's coming in with a lot of confidence.

"The first set I played well, the second set she started making more balls and being very aggressive. I just tried to stay calm. I remembered my coach's words to me: this is a battle, just enjoy it, have fun and put on a show for everyone."

The 21-year-old Canadian left-hander will play for her first title since 2022 Monterrey when she takes on Katerina Siniakova in Sunday's final.



World No. 85 Siniakova stopped Italian left-hander Martina Trevisan 6-4, 6-2. 

Fernandez broke in the fourth game as she rolled out to a 4-1 lead.

A fired-up Fernandez reeled off eight straight points to take a one-set lead.

In the second set, Fernandez again took a 4-1 lead only to see Blinkova battle back to level after eight games.

A determined Blinkova saved four match points holding to even the set, 5-all.

Undeterred,Fernandez ran off eight of the final nine points to close.