Like two weeks ago in Miami, Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez was dismissed in the first round of a tournament, this time against Poland’s Magda Linette, Thursday in Charleston.
The seventh seed in the event fought hard, but had to give up in three sets of 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4, after 2:36 on the court. This is revenge for Linette, who bowed to the young tenniswoman in the first round at Roland-Garros in 2020.
Fernandez (19e) saved several match points at 5-4, but her rival, serving, was not caught. The latter was also at her best under pressure, saving 11 of the 15 break points offered by her opponent.
The 30-year-old player, 64e world racket, showed more consistency when she managed to put her serve into play, succeeding in addition to 10 aces, against none for the Lavalloise.
Since his title at the Monterrey tournament at the beginning of last month, the 19-year-old athlete has had to settle for crumbs. The Czech Karolina Muchova surprised her in two sets in Miami in the first round on March 24.
In the round of 16, Linette will face Estonian Kaia Kanepi (57e), who beat another Pole in the previous round, Magdalena Frech.
