Leylah Fernandez successfully defended her title at the Monterrey tournament by winning in three sets (6-7, 6-4 and 7-6) against Colombian Camila Osorio. This is a second career title for the Quebecer, both won at the same tournament.
Fernandez once again showed the greatness of his character in a tough battle lasting over three hours. Not very opportunistic at certain times in the game, the 19-year-old was able to overcome the pitfalls in key moments and counter Osorio’s numerous attacks.
Fernandez notably erased five match points in the final round to stand up to Osorio and get the better of her.
Fernandez started the first set strong. From the second game of the match, the young Quebecer offered herself the service of Osorio to quickly take a break in the lead.
Fernandez defends his crown in Monterrey!
In full possession of her means, she continued to offer high quality play to give herself a 5-2 lead at some point in the set.
The Colombian, however, had not said her last word. Trailing 3-5, Osorio broke Fernandez and forced a tiebreaker.
Despite good play from Fernandez, Osorio kept up the pace to win the first set 7-6.
Fernandez quickly regained his means at the start of the second set. The 19-year-old Quebecer broke Osorio twice – at 3e game then at 5e game – to build a comfortable lead.
But, as she had done in the first round, Osorio did not give up, far from it. The Colombian broke Fernandez at 6e game of the sleeve to get a little closer.
The most important moment of this round came on the 10e game. While serving for the set, Fernandez erased no less than three break points to counter Osorio’s attacks and force the holding of the final set. Fernandez won that second set 6-4.
Fernandez picked up where she left off at the start of the final round. She broke Osorio early on to take a 1-0 lead.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Osorio won the next four points, breaking Fernandez twice to take a 4-1 lead and come within two games of the title.
Then, Fernandez showed that she was a fighter. Behind by two games, she offered herself a break point at 7e game and she did not miss the opportunity to bring everyone back to equal service.
At the end of the 3rd round, Fernandez managed to save a match point – which would have allowed Osorio to win the title – to prolong the pleasure and create the equality 5-5.
History repeated itself two games later. Fernandez saved four more match points by offering his best tennis to stay alive and force the tiebreaker.
In addition to being marked by four match points saved, this 12th game was marked by a power outage on the pitch, which delayed the game by fifteen minutes.
On the break, Fernandez won two important points on Osorio’s serve, before earning his two points on serve to take a 5-2 lead and eventually finish the job.
En route to Monterrey, Osorio knocked out tournament favorite Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the quarter-finals. She couldn’t pull off 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 home in Bogota last year.
