Leylah Fernandez reveals keys to her French Open second round victory



by DZEVAD MESIC

Leylah Fernandez reveals keys to her French Open second round victory

World No. 18 Leylah Fernandez was glad with her French Open second round performance as she saw off Katerina Siniakova 6-3 6-2. 1th-seeded Fernandez claimed the first break of the match in the sixth game to open a 4-2 lead but Siniakova broke back in the following game to cut the deficit to 3-4.

Losing an early break didn't impact Fernandez, who broke Siniakova again in the eighth game to open a 5-3 lead, before serving out for the first set in the following game. After winning the first set, Fernandez started the second set with back-to-back breaks and a 3-0 lead.

Siniakova got one break back in the fourth game to cut the deficit to 1-3 but Fernandez earned another break in the fifth game and served out the sixth game to take a 5-1 lead. In the eighth game, Fernandez served out for the match.

Fernandez: I played good, especially on important points

"I think I just played a really good match, especially on important points in the first set," Fernandez said, per the WTA website. "In the second set, I was happy I was able to keep that offensiveness and keep going for my shots, and I'm glad that the balls went in when it mattered." Fernandez plays next Belinda Bencic, who overcame Bianca Andreescu 6-2 6-4.

Bencic led 5-1 in the second set but Andreescu refused to quit as she managed to cut the deficit to 4-5. In the 10th game, Andreescu had a break point to completely get back into the set but Bencic saved it and managed to serve out for the match.

Of course it was a little hiccup in the end, but I think that's tennis. I think it's always tough, you lack a little bit of focus against a top player and it can change quickly. But I'm happy I stayed strong in the important moments," Bencic said. Fernandez defeated Bencic in their lone meeting, which came at the Billie Jean King Cup in 2020.

Leylah Fernandez French Open Katerina Siniakova