Canadian teenage sensation, Leylah Fernandez captures her first WTA Title in Monterrey

Canadian teenage sensation, Leylah Fernandez captures her first WTA Title in Monterrey

Leylah Fernandez

Leylah Fernandez claimed the first WTA Title of her career as she defeated Viktorija Golubic in the finals of the Monterrey Open on Sunday. The Canadian won in straight sets, 6-1 and 6-4 in an utter dominant performance. Fernandez was the youngest player in the main draw at the age of just 18.

This title would have been even more sweeter for the Canadian given that she lost in the finals of the same tournament last year. Fernandez will make a huge climb in the WTA Rankings, and will jump from the 88th place to the 72th place in the rankings. Her opponent in the finals, Golubic will also make rise in the rankings and will occupy the world number 81 spot.

I tried to use the emotions I felt last year: Fernandez

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Fernandez stated in her post-match conference that she tried to learn from her mistakes last year and give it her best shot this time around. Luckily, this time, all things worked according to the plan. “Last year I lost in the finals at Acapulco, and this year I was able to again get to the finals in Monterrey, and I just tried to do my best,” Fernandez said in her post-match press conference. “I tried to use the emotions I felt last year this year so I could get the win, and it definitely helped today,” she added.

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Last year, Fernandez was defeated in a three set thriller in the finals of the Monterrey Open by Heather Watson. Having bushed aside five match points in the second set, Fernandez took the match to a final set decider. However, she was outplayed by the Brit, losing the third set, 6-1.

Fernandez revealed that the loss in last year’s final was going on in her mind. “It definitely played a big factor,” she said. “Before the match today, I was talking with my dad, and I just remembered all the emotions I felt last year. Let’s not say regret, but a bit of disappointment. “He just told me to use those emotions as fuel for today, and I did,” Fernandez added.

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