Leylah Fernandez advances to 3rd round of National Bank Open
Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez advanced to the third round of the National Bank Open after defeating Mexico's Renata Zarazua. As the last remaining Canadian in the singles draw, Fernandez expressed her desire to motivate younger players.
Why it matters
The National Bank Open is a major professional tennis tournament, and Fernandez's performance is significant for Canadian sports representation on the international stage.
TORONTO -- Leylah Fernandez knew the stakes before she stepped onto centre court.
The 23-year-old Canadian had just shared a word with her father -- and co-coach -- ahead of the tennis star’s first match at the National Bank Open.
Despite having yet to swing a racket in anger at the home-soil event after getting an opening-round by as the No. 30 seed, Fernandez was already the country’s last hope in both the women’s and men’s singles draws.
The Laval, Que., product carried that torch in impressive fashion.
Fernandez fired three aces and connected on five of six break-point opportunities Wednesday to breeze past Mexico’s Renata Zarazua 6-2, 6-2 in front of a partisan crowd at Sobeys Stadium.
“A little bit nerve-racking,” she said. “But happy I was able to manage those nerves and enjoy the moment.”
The pressure was also squarely on Fernandez’s shoulders.
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