Fernandez advances to Citi Open semifinals with win over former doubles partner
WASHINGTON — Canada's Leylah Fernandez advanced to her first semifinal of the season with a 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over American qualifier and former doubles partner Taylor Townsend on Friday at the Citi Open hardcourt tennis tournament.
Fernandez played an aggressive return game against Townsend and had 23 break-point chances, converting five.
Still, Fernandez only finished the game one break ahead after defending just three of the seven break-point chances she faced.
Fernandez, who advanced to the quarterfinals with a win Thursday over top-seed Jessica Pegula, appeared to be battling cramps in the second set, but held on to win the second set tiebreak.
The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., will next face the winner of a match later Friday between third-seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan or fifth-seed Magdalena Frech on Poland.
The Canadian is rounding into form at the right time, with the main draw of the women's National Bank Open kicking off Sunday in Montreal.
Fernandez joins Britain's Emma Raducanu in the semifinals in Washington. It's the first time they have been in the final four of a tournament since they met in the final of the 2021 U.S. Open, which Raducanu won in straight sets.
Fernandez and Townsend had success as a doubles tandem during the 2023 season. While they did not win a title, they made it to the final of the French Open and the WTA 1000 Miami Open, as well as the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
National Post
10 minutes ago
- National Post
Canucks prospect Braeden Cootes making his case at Canadian world junior camp
Vancouver Canucks 2025 first-round draft pick Braeden Cootes is among the 20 forwards and 36 players overall slated to represent Hockey Canada in the World Junior Showcase, which runs today through Saturday in Minneapolis. Article content Cootes, 18, is a right-shot centre with the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, and Vancouver picked him at No. 15 a month ago in Los Angeles. Cootes signed his three-year, entry-level deal with the Canucks July 9, and he's expected to return this season to the Thunderbirds. He had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 regular season games with a young, rebuilding Seattle team last season. He was Seattle's captain as well. Article content Article content Article content There were 44 players invited to the camp this week, but eight forwards are listed as 'unable to attend' by Hockey Canada. The includes Kelowna Rockets centre Tij Iginla and Brandon Wheat Kings centre Roger McQueen, who both missed much of last season with injuries. Article content Canada's invited list features seven players from last year's world junior squad who were eligible to return. Cootes is among 22 players invited who previously won gold at the Under-18 worlds. There are eight 18-year-old forwards invited, including Cootes. The remaining 20 are 19 years old. Article content Longtime London Knights coach Dale Hunter is bench boss for this Canadian representative. The tournament is in Minneapolis and St. Paul and gets going Boxing Day. Article content Cootes has been lauded for his leadership and character. Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said on draft day: 'They have a lot of great history of NHL players coming out of that program and Braeden being a captain, a leader of that team, that excited my staff.' Article content Canucks defence prospect Sawyer Mynio, who was a Cootes teammate with Seattle before being traded to the Calgary Hitmen last year, played for Canada at last year's world juniors in Ottawa. Canada lost 4-3 to Czechia in the quarterfinals. Article content
National Post
10 minutes ago
- National Post
Bills WR Shavers carted off with ankle injury; LB Bernard, WR Samuel sidelined with hamstring issues
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Buffalo Bills backup receiver Tyrell Shavers was carted off the field at training camp after hurting his right ankle on what proved to be the final play of practice Sunday. Article content Shavers made a catch in the end zone and fell awkwardly while attempting to protect the ball from rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston. Shavers was on the ground for several minutes while being tended to by the training staff, leading to coach Sean McDermott ending practice a few minutes earlier than scheduled. Article content The 25-year-old Shavers signed with Buffalo as an undrafted rookie free agent two years ago, and appeared in three games with the Bills last season. Article content
CTV News
10 minutes ago
- CTV News
Indigenous teams still in it to win it on Amazing Race Canada
The race is on! From hockey shootouts and chiseling ice sculptures, to roping tests and cracking riddles, the 11 teams on the 11th season of The Amazing Race Canada 2025 have been faced with many challenges—and it's just the beginning. On July 8, the series kicked off in Edmonton at the Commonwealth Stadium where the 2024 race winners were crowned. Three of the teams are comprised of six Indigenous people who come from communities across Canada. 'I think over the course of the series, we've seen more and more Indigenous teams on the show,' said Mark Lysakowski, co-chief content officer and executive producer. 'I think when the community sees 'Oh, I can go on the show and do well,' you think 'this can be for me'.' Grace Dove and Joe Syme are siblings from Prince George, BC, who are not afraid of being on screen. Grace has received the Canadian Screen Award nomination as an actress and has filled roles on The Revenant, Alaska Daily and How it Ends. amazing race canada Joe Syme and Grace Dove are siblings from Prince George, B.C., competing in season 11 of The Amazing Race Canada. (The Amazing Race Canada) Married couple Skylene and Blair Gladue, also known as 'Superfan Magoo' from Edmonton, hope their time on the show inspires Indigenous people by demonstrating strength, joy and perseverance despite being faced with difficulties. Superfan Magoo Amazing Race promo Skylene and Blair Gladue, also known as Superfan Magoo, on Season 11 of Amazing Race Canada. (Credit: Amazing Race Canada) The last Indigenous team, known as the Rebeccas, consists of Rebecca Merasty from Meadow Lake, Sask., and Rebecca Watt from Wrigley, N.W.T. The best friend duo are currently roommates in Vancouver. Their determination to win the race pays tribute to those who have played a pivotal role in shaping them into the woman they've become, they say. 'We were both raised in smaller communities and raised in the bush. I think, just that in itself, shaped us to who we are today,' said Watt. 'We're both very strong and very resilient individuals that honestly aren't scared of anything.' Watt describes Merasty as the more athletic one, but she too enjoys an active lifestyle with regular activities. 'Rebecca is more of an athlete than I am,' said Watt. 'I like to hike. I play whatever sports and do anything to get my body moving.' But no matter who is more athletic, the duo has been killing it. Amazing Race - The Rebeccas Best friends and roommates, Rebecca Merasty and Rebecca Watt, are competing on Season 11 of the Amazing Race Canada. 'The experience overall, honestly, is a once in a lifetime. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and to be able to do the entire time with my best friend,' Watt said. 'We had the best time. I couldn't have asked for a better person.' Each and every morning, the Rebeccas pray 'for a good day.' 'And to thank the Creator and (ask for the) backing of our ancestors and everybody that came before us. You know, to just push us through and get us to that next level, that next leg,' Watt explained. She is a strategic lead for mental wellness, and owner of the company Auntie's Insights. She works with youth through mental health and substance programming. The business was established in response to a gap for Indigenous youth in cities who were missing out on essential advice from aunties in the community. 'There was a gap just in a lot of the knowledge and teachings in terms of harm reduction and prevention education for youth under 12,' Watt said. The Rebeccas are hoping their participation in The Amazing Race Canada will encourage younger generations to embrace new experiences. 'It was so important for us to get out there and represent, not just Indigenous people and Indigenous women, but also just be that representation we didn't have as kids,' she said. From rugged coasts and busy cities, the remainder of the season will see contestants move across the country. 'My philosophy of this show is, yes there's tourism in every place we go, but I don't always want to show tourism… With everything that's happening in the world geopolitically and how people are traveling less, I think our show is a great show that lets people say 'hey there is still a whole massive country to explore',' Lysakowski said. One of the highlights will be when the contestants travel to the third coast—the Arctic Ocean. Watch The Amazing Race Canada Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CTV, and the CTV app, and streaming next day on Crave. By Crystal Local Journalism Initiative Reporter,
