Canada’s Leylah Fernandez has advanced to the third round of the National Bank Open in Toronto after a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory over Mexico’s Renata Zarazua at Sobeys Stadium.
The 23-year-old from Laval, Quebec, delivered a dominant performance, firing three aces and converting five of six break-point opportunities to wrap up the match in one hour and 23 minutes.
Fernandez entered the match as Canada’s last remaining singles player in the tournament after a series of exits and injury withdrawals among both the men’s and women’s Canadian contingent.
“I knew that I was the last Canadian standing,” Fernandez said. “I guess that lit a little fire in me. I want to motivate young Canadian tennis players to keep believing.”
The victory improved Fernandez’s career record against Zarazua to 3-0. She will next face fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in the third round.
Elsewhere, rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala also progressed after defeating Alycia Parks of the United States 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 in front of a lively crowd featuring strong support from Toronto’s Filipino community.
Eala will face Caty McNally in the third round after the American produced one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by eliminating sixth seed Linda Noskova.
Earlier in the day, Canada’s Kayla Cross was eliminated by Ann Li of the United States in straight sets, while Katherine Sebov and former champion Bianca Andreescu had already exited the tournament. Defending champion Victoria Mboko is not competing this year due to a knee injury.
Several top seeds also advanced, including Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka, Belinda Bencic and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who won her opening match earlier in the week.
