Quebec’s rising tennis star Leylah Annie Fernandez secured her sixth WTA title in a thrilling victory at the Singapore tournament on Sunday. The 18-year-old Fernandez, ranked No. 31, showcased her prowess by overpowering Australia’s Talia Gibson (No. 63) in straight sets of 7-5, 6-0 on the courts in Asia.
During the post-match ceremony, Fernandez graciously praised her opponent, saying, “Congratulations to Talia and her team. You are truly remarkable both on and off the court. I have no doubt that you will shine in many more finals and clinch more titles in the future.”
The intense battle saw both players exchanging breaks early in the game, with Gibson momentarily leading at 5-4. Nevertheless, Fernandez, competing in her first final of the season, rallied back to claim victory by winning the next nine consecutive games, ultimately securing the prestigious WTA 500 tournament.
Displaying exceptional performance, Fernandez capitalized on 6 out of 12 break points and maintained a solid 54% win rate on return serves. She also demonstrated her prowess on serve, winning an impressive 67% of rallies when her first serve was in play.
Having clinched three of her six career titles in Asia, including her latest triumph at the Japan Open last October, Fernandez expressed her gratitude to the enthusiastic fans from Singapore and the Philippines. “Your unwavering support and positive energy made this week truly special for all of us players. Thank you for embracing women’s tennis with such fervor and passion,” she said.
