Leylah Fernandez successfully defended her title in the Monterrey tournament by beating Colombian Camila Osorio in three sets (6-7, 6-4 and 7-6). This is the second career title for Quebec, which they both won in the same tournament.
Fernandez once again showed the greatness of his character in a fierce battle that lasted almost three hours. Not very opportunistic in specific moments of the match, the 19-year-old was able to overcome the pitfalls in important moments and face the numerous attacks of Osorio.
Fernandez specifically erased five game points in the final round to face Osorio and win.
“This year’s title is even more special. I like that the energy of the audience, even if it encourages my opponent, to drop Lavaloise. Hearing my name, hearing the cries of the crowd, pushes me to go further. »
Fernandez started the first set strong. From the second game of the match, the young Quebec offered herself the service of Osorio to quickly make a break in the lead.
With full possession of her media, she continued to offer quality play to give a 5-2 lead at some point in the set.
The Colombian, however, had not said her last word. After 3-5, Osorio defeated Fernandez and forced a tie.
Despite Fernandez’s good play, Osorio kept pace to win the first set 7-6.
Fernandez quickly regained his potential at the start of the second set. 19-year-old Quebec broke the Osorio twice – in 3and game after 5 p.m.and game – to create a comfortable lead.
But, as it had done in the first round, Osorio did not put it down, far from it. The Colombian broke Fernandez at 6and play with the sleeve to get a little closer.
The most important moment of this round came at 10and While serving for the set, Fernandez deleted at least three break points to counter Osorio’s attacks and force the final set. Fernandez won the second set 6-4.
Fernandez continued from where she left off at the beginning of the last lap. He broke Osorio early and led 1-0.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Osorio won the next four points, breaking Fernandez twice to take a 4-1 lead and reach two games from the title.
Fernandez then showed that she was a fighter. After two games, she offered herself a break point at 7and game and did not miss the opportunity to restore everyone to equal services.
At the end of the 3rd round, Fernandez managed to save a match – which would allow Osorio to win the title – to extend the pleasure and create a 5-5 draw.
The story was repeated two games later. Fernandez saved another four points by offering his best in tennis to stay alive and force the tiebreak.
Aside from the fact that he scored four game points, this 12th game was marked by a power outage on the pitch, which delayed the game by fifteen minutes.
“I did not focus on the fight. I thought of putting the ball in play in my first serve and playing the following shots. “I told myself not to stop taking risks, even if it was a difficult situation,” said Fernandez, who won the tournament under the watchful eye of his father, who is also his coach.
“I’m really happy he was able to be here this year,” Fernandez said of his father. I like to celebrate as a group, as a family. I hope to win more titles, but my mother will be there for the others. »
In the break, Fernandez scored two important points in Osorio’s serve, before gaining two serve points to take a 5-2 lead and finally finish the job.
On the way to Monterey, Osorio eliminated his favorite tournament Elina Svitolina from Ukraine in the quarterfinals. He could not do the feat again against the second seed.
The 20-year-old was also trying to win a second career title on the WTA Tour. She triumphed at her home in Bogota last year.
