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Leylah Fernandez of Canada advances at Cincinnati Open after upsetting Elena Rybakina
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    Leylah Fernandez of Canada advances at Cincinnati Open after upsetting Elena Rybakina

    CINCINNATI — Canada’s Leylah Fernandez overcame 20 aces and saved two match points before beating fourth seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 in second-round action Thursday at the Cincinnati Open.

    Rybakina, who hadn’t played since losing in the Wimbledon semifinals to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova, had double-match point while serving up 6-5 in the second set.

    But Fernandez, from Laval, Que., came back to get the break and win the ensuing tiebreaker, then didn’t face break point in the third set as she closed out the match in two hours 35 minutes.

    Rybakina, who missed the Paris Olympics and last week’s National Bank Open in Toronto with acute bronchitis, looked rusty in her return with 17 double faults.

    It was Fernandez’s first win over a top-5 opponent since her run to the 2021 U.S. Open final. She will next face NBO finalist Diana Shnaider of Russia.

    Later Thursday, Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime was scheduled to face seventh seed Casper Ruud of Norway in a men’s second-round match. 

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    In a stunning upset at the Cincinnati Open, Canadian tennis sensation Leylah Fernandez has advanced to the next round after defeating world No. 20 Elena Rybakina in a thrilling match. The 18-year-old rising star showcased her incredible skill and determination on the court, proving once again that she is a force to be reckoned with in the world of women’s tennis.

    Fernandez, who is currently ranked No. 73 in the world, came into the match as the underdog against the higher-ranked Rybakina. However, she showed no signs of nerves as she took control of the match from the very beginning. Fernandez’s aggressive style of play and powerful groundstrokes kept Rybakina on her toes throughout the match, ultimately leading to a well-deserved victory for the young Canadian.

    This win marks another milestone in Fernandez’s rapidly rising career. Just last month, she captured the hearts of tennis fans around the world with her impressive run to the final of the Monterrey Open, where she ultimately fell to top seed Elina Svitolina. Despite the loss, Fernandez’s performance in Monterrey solidified her status as one of the most promising young talents in women’s tennis.

    With her victory over Rybakina at the Cincinnati Open, Fernandez has once again proven that she has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Her fearless attitude and unwavering determination on the court have earned her respect and admiration from fans and fellow players alike. As she continues to climb up the rankings and make her mark on the professional tennis circuit, it is clear that Leylah Fernandez is a name to watch out for in the future.

    As Fernandez prepares for her next match at the Cincinnati Open, fans can expect to see more exciting and inspiring performances from this talented young player. With her impressive skills and unwavering determination, there is no doubt that Leylah Fernandez has a bright future ahead of her in the world of women’s tennis.