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For the first time in her career, Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez reached the 3rd round of the Australian Open. Fernandez defeated Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in three sets, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4.
In front of the 110th racket in the world, the representative of the Unifolié hoped that her road would not stop in the second round of the first Grand Slam of the season as in the two previous years.
After letting the first set slip away, Fernandez worked hard to turn things around. She recorded a break of serve in the ninth game of the second set to lead 5-4. However, she escaped the next three points to offer three break points. She overcame this new obstacle to then win the game and force a final round.
The two players offered excellent tennis in this third set and they were nose to nose after more than 2 hours of play. Fernandez was able to win two break points at 4-4, but it was at this moment that Mother Nature got involved with a slight interruption of rain. The Quebecer was able to maintain her concentration to break Bucsa’s serve from the restart. She did not flinch when serving for the match to sign the victory after 2 hours 40 minutes.
In the next round, Fernandez will meet the winner of the duel between Coco Gauff and Jodie Burrage. The duel will be played this night.
Fernandez finished the match with 30 winners to Bucsa’s 13. The Canadian, however, committed 40 unforced errors.
Later in the night, it will be Félix Auger-Aliassime’s turn to return to action. The match will be presented on RDS.
The Quebecer will face the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina for the occasion. Auger-Aliassime got the better of Jan-Lennard Struff at the opening in a duel which required four rounds. He won 6-3, 6-0, 4-6 and 6-1.
Canada
