In an exhilarating day at the Madrid Tournament, Canadian tennis stars Leylah Annie Fernandez and Félix Auger-Aliassime showcased exceptional performances to advance in the prestigious clay-court event.
Leylah Fernandez Advances in Madrid Tournament
Ranked 25th, Leylah Fernandez staged a remarkable comeback against American player Iva Jovic, who is currently ranked 16th. After losing the first set 3-6, Fernandez rebounded to win the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, securing her place in the round of 16. With this victory, she has now reached this stage in Madrid for the first time in her career.
Fernandez, who had entered the tournament with a first-round bye, faced a tough challenge. She had not progressed past the third round in her previous attempts at this event. This time, she converted five break points in a match that lasted 2 hours and 9 minutes, securing a 60% first serve rate and winning 68% of those points.
Next Match for Fernandez
In the next round, Fernandez will face Ann Li, currently ranked 34th. Li advanced after Iga Swiatek, the former world No. 1 ranked fourth in the WTA, withdrew from their match.
Félix Auger-Aliassime Shines in Madrid
Félix Auger-Aliassime, with a ATP ranking of 5, delivered an impressive showing against Lithuania’s Vilius Gaubas, ranked 124th. Auger-Aliassime won in straight sets, overpowering Gaubas with scores of 6-3 and 6-4 in a match that lasted just 82 minutes.
Auger-Aliassime excelled at service, landing 72% of his first serves and striking seven aces. He won 40 of the 46 points he initiated, earning two breaks from six opportunities. This marks his third victory on clay this season, a significant improvement from his previous record on the surface.
Upcoming Challenge for Auger-Aliassime
In the third round, Auger-Aliassime will play against Alexander Blockx of Belgium, ranked 69th. This match will be their first encounter on the ATP circuit.
Other Notable Matches
- Denis Shapovalov, ranked 35th, lost to Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, ranked 140th, in straight sets 2-6, 1-6.
- Shapovalov struggled with 39% of his first serves in play and committed 27 unforced errors.
- In the doubles, Iva Jovic partnered with Canadian Victoria Mboko but lost 6-2, 6-4 to Laura Siegemund and Vera Zvonareva.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Fernandez and Auger-Aliassime as they strive to make their mark on the clay courts of Madrid. Their performances reflect the growing talent and spirit of Canadian tennis on the international stage.
