Canada’s Leylah Fernandez triumphed over Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in a grueling match at the Ningbo Open in China, winning 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3 to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. The 24-year-old player from Laval, Quebec, battled for three hours to defeat the 122nd-ranked Sasnovich, improving her head-to-head record to 2-2.
Despite committing 53 unforced errors and eight double faults, Fernandez, ranked 30th globally, managed to clinch her second consecutive three-set victory. Sasnovich, on the other hand, made 73 unforced errors during the match. Fernandez capitalized on eight of 15 break-point opportunities, while Sasnovich converted five of six, ultimately sealing the win on her first match point.
In the upcoming quarterfinal match, Fernandez will face Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova, who advanced due to a withdrawal by third-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine because of an injury. Kostyuk’s withdrawal also secured a spot at the WTA Finals for Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic.
Kostyuk needed to progress to the final in Ningbo to stay in contention for qualification. Muchova will join a lineup that includes Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Elina Svitolina, and Linda Noskova at the event in Indian Wells, California, from November 8-15.
Unfortunately, the scheduled doubles quarterfinal match featuring Fernandez and Kostyuk against top seeds Nicole Melichar of the United States and Cristina Bucsa of Spain was canceled following Kostyuk’s injury.
