“I know I can do a lot better” US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez fights her way into Indian Wells fourth round

WTA 2021 BNP-Paribas Open | Draw | Order of Play | Fernandez-Rodgers (Tue.)

US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez continued to impress in her first tournament after bursting into the tennis spotlight at Flushing Meadows with a hard-fought win over French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to move into the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open (5-7, 6-3, 6-4).

Seeded 23rd, 19-year-old Fernandez came from a set behind to defeat the No. 9 seed Payvluchenkova, ranked a career-high No 13 in the world currently. Despite the loss, the Russian has a chance to break into the world’s top 10 for the first time at the age of 30 next week. That will depend on how the results of other players pan out at Indian Wells.

Pavlyuchenkova won the first 7-5 before the young Canadian bounced back and gritted her way to a win in two hours and 42 minutes. It also marked her fifth consecutive win in three-set matches, four of the others coming at the US Open.

Next round : Fernandez – Rogers

With Monday October 11 being Canadian Thanksgiving Day, the teenager said during her on-court interview that although she missed her family back home, she was happy to celebrate with her compatriots in Indian Wells.

The Canadian goes on to face Shelby Rogers next. The American, who turns 29 years old on Wednesday, scored a 6-0, 6-2 win over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.

I’m learning to kind of accept the good and the bad, seeing what I can improve on.

Leylah Fernandez

Despite the win, Fernandez admitted she felt she did not play her best tennis and is capable of playing much better. However, the world No 28 added that she is learning to accept that she cannot play with her best tennis in every match.

“I think the whole game maybe technically I was a little uncomfortable. Tonight wasn’t the best feeling ball-wise. She was hitting well her targets. I was missing them by maybe an inch or two. That definitely made a difference in the first set. I’m not going to be playing my best tennis all the time. I know where my level is at during trainings, I know what I can produce on court. I’m always hard on myself, which is good and bad. I’m learning to kind of accept the good and the bad, seeing what I can improve on.”

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