By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, September 27, 2026
Photo credit: National Bank Open Facebook
Empowered by the belief no ball was a lost cause, Leylah Fernandez unleashed a titanic turnaround to rule Singapore.
Fernandez fought off a set point at 4-5 in the opener then fired through nine consecutive games defeating Talia Gibson, 7-5, 6-0, to claim her first title of the season at the Singapore Tennis Open today.
It is Fernandez’s sixth career championship—all on hard courts—and first since she beat Sorana Cirstea and Tereza Valentova in succession to capture Osaka last October.
Playing with energy and exuberance, Fernandez completely turned the match around with her second straight comeback win. Yesterday, Fernandez fought off French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals.
The 2021 US Open finalist Fernandez converted six of 12 break points and won 19 of 32 points played on Gibson’s second second serve in today’s final.
Serving at 4-5, Fernandez fended off a set point in a demanding game, eventually holding to level.
A superb running forehand strike down the line helped Fernandez crack Gibson’s serve in the 11th game. On her fourth break point, Fernandez drew the error breaking for 6-5.
Serving for the set, Fernandez saved two break points, including a short-angle slice ace out wide to draw even at deuce. Gibson netted a second-serve return as Fernandez pumped her first three times snatching set point.
When Gibson’s forehand fell wide, Fernandez seized the 66-minute opener with a shout just three games after saving a set point.
Rallying through a physical first set empowered Fernandez, who broke again to start the second set.
The sixth-seeded Canadian cranked a forehand strike down the line holding at 30 to confirm the break for 7-5, 2-0.
An energized Fernandez was dotting the corners with her drives forcing Gibson to counter from challenging places on court. Gibson dragged a forehand wide as Fernandez broke again for her sixth straight game and a 3-0 lead.
In full flight, Fernandez surged through 12 of the final 15 points.
Driving a deep crosscourt backhand, Fernandez coaxed one final netted reply to seal her status as Singapore champion on a nine-game run.
0 comments