Canada's Leylah Fernandez has reached her first WTA final of the year after recovering from a poor start to beat Poland's Maja Chwalinska in the Singapore Tennis Open on Saturday. Fernandez, the sixth seed, dropped the first five games of the semi-final against her fifth-seeded opponent but came back strongly to win 1-6, 6-4, 6-2. This victory sets up a final against unseeded Australian Talia Gibson on Sunday.
Fernandez was broken in all four of her service games in the opening set by fellow left-hander Chwalinska. However, galvanised by vocal support, the Canadian raised her game in the second set and earned a crucial break to take a 5-4 lead before holding serve to level the match. This significant turnaround in momentum allowed Fernandez to regain her composure and compete at a higher level.
The world number 31 then broke Chwalinska twice and set up match point with an ace before firing a powerful backhand down the line to secure victory in two hours and eight minutes. This win marks Fernandez's first WTA final since she won last year's Japan Open. Her progress in the tournament has been impressive, demonstrating her resilience and ability to adapt under pressure.
Fernandez's opponent in the final, Talia Gibson, advanced to her first WTA final after her semi-final opponent Tatiana Prozorova was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to the WTA's concussion protocol. Prozorova had been performing well in the tournament, having stunned third seed Alexandrea Eala in the round of 16 on Thursday and then beating China's Wang Xinyu in a gruelling three-set quarter-final the next day.
However, the Russian was struck in the face by the ball while playing in the doubles quarter-finals later on Friday. As a result, Prozorova had to withdraw from that match and then had to sit out the singles semi-final after the WTA physiotherapist diagnosed her with concussion. The WTA's concussion protocol requires players to complete a graduated return-to-play protocol and receive medical clearance before competing again.
The WTA's decision to prioritize player safety has been emphasized through this incident. Players diagnosed with concussion cannot compete until they complete a graduated return-to-play protocol and receive medical clearance. This protocol is designed to ensure that players are not put at risk of further injury and that their health and well-being are protected.
Leylah Fernandez's victory over Maja Chwalinska sets up an exciting final against Talia Gibson on Sunday. Fernandez will look to capitalize on her momentum and secure her first WTA title of the year. The Singapore Open has provided a platform for players to showcase their skills and compete at a high level, and the final promises to be an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
Key points
- Leylah Fernandez recovers from a poor start to beat Maja Chwalinska and reach the Singapore Open final.
