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Key Points

Fernandez staged an epic comeback against Rybakina in a marathon match lasting over three hours. The Canadian showed remarkable resilience to save match points and force decisive tiebreaks. Kalinskaya cruised past Raducanu to set up an intriguing final against Fernandez. Both rising stars are chasing what would be their most significant career title yet.

Key Points: Leylah Fernandez edges Rybakina to face Kalinskaya in Washington final

  • Fernandez saved match point vs Rybakina in grueling 3-tiebreak semifinal
  • Kalinskaya dominates Raducanu to reach second career final
  • Both players eye biggest career title in Washington
  • Fernandez leads H2H 1-0 over Kalinskaya from 2021
2 min read

Fernandez sets summit clash with Kalinskaya in Washington

Fernandez rallies past Rybakina in 3-hour thriller, sets up Washington Open final against Kalinskaya seeking first title since 2023

Fernandez sets summit clash with Kalinskaya in Washington
"Staring down a match game at 5-4 in the second set, Fernandez's cracking returns helped the Canadian earn her first service break when she needed it most - WTA"

Washington, July 27

Leylah Fernandez battled all the way back to pull off a gruelling, three-tiebreak victory and reach her first final in over a year, beating No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 6-7(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3) in a 3-hour and 12-minute contest at Washington Open.

Rybakina had not lost serve through 7-6(2), 5-4, where she served for the match. Naturally, Fernandez had her exactly where she wanted her. Staring down a match game at 5-4 in the second set, Fernandez's cracking returns helped the Canadian earn her first service break of the day when she needed it most.

Once the third set hit, Fernandez was the sturdier player in rallies down the stretch. Bolstered by her never-say-die attitude, these returns and rally groundstrokes could lead Fernandez to her fourth career title, and her first since 2023 Hong Kong. All of her three career WTA singles titles have come on hard court, WTA reports.

Fernandez will next face Anna Kalinskaya, who eased past 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu 6-4, 6-3 in the day's second semifinal.

DC Open is arguably Kalinskaya's best stop on tour. She holds a 9-2 main-draw win-loss record at the event and has never lost before the quarterfinals here, including a semifinal showing in 2019 as a qualifier ranked No. 160.

Kalinskaya went one further this year and is into her second career WTA singles final, following WTA 1000 Dubai and WTA 500 Berlin, both last year. After narrow losses in both of those finals, she has another opportunity to join the club of WTA singles titlists, according to WTA stats.

The summit clash is a huge chance for World No. 36 Fernandez and World No. 48 Kalinskaya, both of whom have previously been ranked inside the Top 20. This WTA 500 trophy would be the biggest career title for either of them -- in fact, Kalinskaya has yet to win a WTA singles title at all.

Fernandez narrowly defeated Kalinskaya in their only previous meeting, which was over four years ago. On the hard courts of Guadalajara in 2021, Fernandez squeaked past Kalinskaya 7-5, 4-6, 6-4.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Both players deserve credit for such an intense match lasting over 3 hours! Though I must say, the coverage in Indian sports channels was pathetic - they showed cricket highlights instead of this epic battle. When will we give other sports proper attention? 🤦‍♀️
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Aman W
Kalinskaya has been so consistent at Washington! Her game reminds me of Sania Mirza's aggressive style. Hope she finally gets her first title - she's worked hard for it. The final should be 🔥
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Shreya B
While I appreciate the coverage of international tennis, I wish Indian media would focus more on developing our own players. We have talent but lack proper infrastructure and coaching. When will we see an Indian in a WTA final? 😞
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Varun X
That 3-hour match was worth waking up at 3 AM IST to watch! Fernandez's backhand down the line at 5-4 in the third set was pure class. Tennis needs more such exciting young players to challenge the established stars.
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Nisha Z
As someone who follows women's tennis closely, I must say the depth in WTA has improved so much. Earlier it was just 2-3 players dominating, now we get to see thrilling matches between lower-ranked players too. Great for the sport! 👏

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