Leylah Fernandez
After a couple of down years, Canadian tennis appears to be taking a significant step up early in 2025.
Leylah Fernandez notched the latest big win for Canada on Monday, upsetting No. 8 seed Emma Navarro of the U.S. 6-2, 6-2 in the second round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.
Fernandez’s triumph over the world No. 9 at the WTA Tour 1000 event came less than 24 hours after Denis Shapovalov won the Dallas Open, featuring three victories over top-10 players. Felix Auger-Aliassime also has won two ATP Tour events this season.
Fernandez, the world No. 27, is now 3-1 lifetime against Navarro.
The Canadian won 80.6 per cent of points when she got her first serve in.
In the round of 16, Fernandez will face the winner of a match between No. 9 seed Paula Badosa of Spain and world No. 41 Amanda Anisimova of the U.S.
Fernandez is coming off a run to the quarterfinals at the Abu Dhabi Open. She also reached the third round at the Australian Open.