Tennis
Canada’s Leylah Fernandez advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Open, defeating Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday. She faces American Bernarda Pera on Friday at 5:45 a.m. ET.
Defending champion faces No. 9 Bernarda Pera on Friday at 5:45 a.m. ETThe Canadian Press
· Posted: Oct 31, 2024 9:53 AM EDT | Last Updated: 11 hours ago
Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., pictured, needed just 80 minutes to dispatch Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday at the Hong Kong Open. (Florence Lo/Reuters/File)Canada’s Leylah Fernandez advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Open, defeating Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday.
Fernandez, the tournament’s third seed, needed just 80 minutes to dispatch the world No. 115 on the hard court at Victoria Park Tennis Centre.
The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., dominated Birrell on serve, with a 76 per cent first-serve success rate and 75 per cent on her second serve, while committing just three double faults.
Near-perfect performance 💯
Defending champion @leylahfernandez cruises to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over Birrell!#PHKTO2024 pic.twitter.com/sbMMWHDmWu
—@WTAFernandez, the defending champion, was sharp in key moments, converting four of eight break points and saving all three against her serve.
The Canadian next faces ninth-seeded American Bernarda Pera on Friday at 5:45 a.m. ET.
Fernandez holds a 2-0 career record against Pera, with their most recent matchup being a victory in the first round in Dubai last February.
Fabulous Fernandez 🙌
Sealing the first set in style @leylahfernandez #PHKTO2024 pic.twitter.com/3MLgR2vMVc
—@WTA
