Leylah Fernandez delivered a significant victory for Canada on Wednesday night, providing a welcome boost to the country's tennis program following a challenging 48-hour period. The 30th-seeded Fernandez from Laval, Quebec, showcased an impressive performance on Centre Court, defeating Mexico's Renata Zarazua with a commanding score of 6-2, 6-2 in the second round.
Shortly after Fernandez's win, rising Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala mesmerized a capacity crowd at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers with her own second-round victory. The 20th-seeded Eala outlasted Alycia Parks from the U.S. in a tense match that ended 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. The atmosphere was electric, thanks in large part to the city's vibrant Filipino community, which supported Eala and quickly sold out the session after the schedule was released the previous week.
Fernandez was acutely aware of her unique status as the last Canadian remaining in the women's or men's singles draws prior to stepping onto the court. She received a bye in the opening round, which heightened the stakes of her match. “I knew that I was the last Canadian standing. My dad specifically said that before I walked on court,” Fernandez shared during her post-match press conference while enjoying a chocolate ice cream bar. This realization motivated her to push through, highlighting her desire to inspire fellow young Canadian tennis players. “We have a lot of Canadians, young Canadian tennis players who are doing extremely well. And I want to be able to kind of motivate them,” she added.
The banner day for Canadian tennis came in stark contrast to earlier events. Top Canadian men's player Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew from the tournament due to a back injury, while fellow players Denis Shapovalov and Gabriel Diallo also retired from their respective matches due to injuries. Victoria Mboko, the defending women's champion, was unable to compete owing to a knee injury, which had already sidelined her from Wimbledon and the upcoming US Open.
Despite these setbacks, Fernandez rose to the occasion, dominating Zarazua with a 17-5 advantage in winners and converting five of six break points. Post-match, she celebrated her victory by capturing a video of the jubilant crowd, a stark contrast to her experience the previous year when she faced disappointment in a first-round match. “At the end of the game, I was seeing the crowd... that’s why I wanted to videotape the whole thing because it was such a special moment for me,” she reflected.
This season has been challenging for Fernandez, who had recorded a 13-20 win-loss record prior to her match, including first-round exits at all three Grand Slam tournaments to date. To turn things around, she enlisted Eric Hechtman, a former coach of Venus and Serena Williams, to assist her during the North American swing, marking a significant coaching change after previously working with her father, Jorge.
Looking ahead, Fernandez, currently ranked No. 34 in the world, will face a tough challenge on Friday against No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva. The 19-year-old Russian recently won the French Open and previously defeated Fernandez in straight sets at a clay-court event in Madrid. Andreeva expressed her anticipation for the matchup, commenting on the support Fernandez will receive from the home crowd and acknowledging the competitive spirit between them.
In addition to the excitement surrounding Fernandez, the energy generated by Eala, who is just 21, has been remarkable. She recently captured a title at the DC Open with a three-set win over Jessica Pegula, making history as the first Filipino to win a WTA Tour event. Eala has fostered an enthusiastic following, celebrating her heritage and garnering immense support during her matches. “The Filipino community is super proud... it’s a super loving community,” Fernandez noted, having recently faced Eala in the Round of 16 at Washington.
As the tournament progresses, Eala and Fernandez are both positioned for promising performances. With only one of the top ten seeds eliminated so far—No. 6 seed Linda Noskova—who lost to Caty McNally—there remains considerable excitement for the remainder of the competition. Additionally, Eala is set to return to Centre Court on Thursday night to compete in doubles alongside the legendary Venus Williams.
