Canadian tennis player Leylah Fernandez started strongly but had to fight hard to secure a victory against Tereza Valentova from the Czech Republic in a thrilling championship final at the Japan Women’s Open. Fernandez, aged 23 and hailing from Laval, Quebec, dominated the first set in just 28 minutes, but Valentova, who is 18 years old, put up a tough challenge in the subsequent sets that lasted nearly two hours at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka.
This win marked Fernandez’s fifth career title and her second triumph in 2025, following her earlier victory at the Washington Open. Fernandez expressed gratitude to her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, along with her team and family, for their unwavering support and sacrifices that have propelled her to success.
In the match statistics, Fernandez recorded three aces, seven winners, only four unforced errors, and two double faults. She outperformed Valentova by winning 43 receiving points compared to Valentova’s 31. Fernandez showcased a 70% win rate on her first serve and a 46% success rate on her second serve. She saved five out of nine break points, while Valentova managed to save nine out of 16.
Following her victory, Fernandez will continue her campaign in Japan by competing in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she is set to face Maria Sakkari from Greece due to a draw adjustment that shifted her initial match against Victoria Mboko from Toronto. Mboko will now play against Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, Ontario, in an exciting all-Canadian first-round showdown.