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.