Leylah Fernandez Wins DC Open Title After Stunning Final Performance
Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez delivered a brilliant performance to win the DC Open title in Washington, D.C., beating Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2. The 22-year-old took just over an hour to claim her first WTA 500 title and her fourth career title overall. This win was extra special for Fernandez because it was her first tournament win since 2023 and came after a tough week full of challenges.
Fernandez, who rose to fame as the US Open finalist in 2021, showed incredible skill and determination throughout the tournament. She beat big-name players like Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina on her way to the final. With this latest win, Fernandez reminded the tennis world of her talent and fighting spirit.
Strong Start Against Kalinskaya in the Final
From the very beginning of the match, Fernandez took control. She attacked Kalinskaya’s serve early, breaking it quickly and taking a 3-1 lead. Kalinskaya struggled to keep up with Fernandez’s powerful returns and fast pace. Fernandez served confidently and didn’t allow Kalinskaya many chances to fight back.
In just 30 minutes, Fernandez had won the first set 6-1. She ended it with a clever drop shot at the net that caught Kalinskaya off guard. The second set followed a similar pattern. Fernandez broke Kalinskaya’s serve again and jumped to a 4-1 lead. She held her own serve with ease and finished the match with a strong final game, winning on her second match point.
The final showed how focused and prepared Fernandez was. She stayed calm, hit her shots with purpose, and made very few mistakes. Kalinskaya, who was trying to win her first WTA title, couldn’t find a way to stop the Canadian’s momentum.
A Hard-Fought Journey to the Championship
Although Fernandez made the final look easy, her journey through the DC Open was full of tough matches. One of her biggest wins came in the second round against top-seeded Jessica Pegula. Pegula was expected to go far in the tournament, but Fernandez outplayed her in three hard-fought sets, winning 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
In the quarterfinal, Fernandez faced Taylor Townsend, an American player known for her aggressive style and strong serves. With the home crowd cheering for Townsend, Fernandez stayed cool under pressure and came out on top again.
The semifinal was the most intense match of the week. Fernandez played against Elena Rybakina, a former Wimbledon champion and one of the top-ranked players in the world. The match went on for more than three hours and featured three tiebreak sets. Fernandez saved match points and kept fighting, finally winning 6-7, 7-6, 7-6. That match tested her stamina, focus, and mental strength.
Throughout the tournament, Fernandez dealt with tough weather, including heat and humidity. She also fought through cramps and exhaustion. Despite all that, she never gave up and kept pushing forward.
Building Confidence and Beating Doubt
After her win, Fernandez admitted she started the tournament full of doubts. She wasn’t sure she could go far, especially after a few difficult months. But as the tournament went on and she won tough matches, her confidence grew stronger. She began to believe she could win the title.
“In the beginning of the tournament, there was still a lot of doubt,” Fernandez said. “But as the tournament progressed, I started to play better.”
She added that going through all the challenges of the week from long matches to bad weather made her stronger. Fernandez proved that she could handle anything the sport threw at her.
She even joked about one of the small things that helped her get through the tough week: a meal from Shake Shack. After a long match, she treated herself to burgers, cheese fries, and a hot dog. “I think I needed it to reset,” she said with a smile. This light-hearted moment showed the fun and human side of an athlete pushing herself to the limit.
A Big Career Step with Ranking Boost
This win is an important step in Fernandez’s tennis career. She had already won three WTA 250 titles in the past two in Monterrey and one in Hong Kong but the DC Open is a WTA 500 event, which is a higher level with stronger competition.
By winning this title, Fernandez earns more ranking points and prize money. It could move her back into the top 30 in the WTA rankings. This would help her get better seedings in future tournaments, including the US Open. More importantly, it proves that her success at the 2021 US Open was not just a one-time moment. She is still improving and growing as a top-level player.
For Anna Kalinskaya, this was her third career final. She played well throughout the tournament but couldn’t match Fernandez’s power and control in the final. Kalinskaya will learn from the experience and try again in future tournaments.
Next Challenge: Home Crowd in Montreal
After winning the DC Open, Fernandez now travels to Canada for the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Montreal. This tournament is even bigger than the DC Open, with more players and more matches. Fernandez knows it will be a tough challenge but is excited to play in front of her home fans.
“Montreal is a whole different monster,” she said. “It’s a bigger draw, a longer tournament. It’s going to start from zero.”
Playing in Montreal is special for Fernandez. As a Canadian, she’ll have strong support from the local crowd. That support will help, but it also comes with pressure to perform well at home. Still, with her current form and confidence, Fernandez is ready for whatever comes next.
She’ll be competing against top stars like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka. Every match will be a new test, but Fernandez has shown she can rise to the occasion.
A Bright Future for Leylah Fernandez
Leylah Fernandez’s win in Washington is more than just a title it’s a sign that she is ready for bigger things. She has shown that she can beat top players, handle pressure, and push through tough conditions.
Her tennis style is aggressive and smart. She uses her speed, powerful groundstrokes, and clever shot placement to control matches. Just as important is her mental toughness. She stays calm under pressure and never gives up.
At only 22 years old, Fernandez still has a long career ahead of her. This title could be the turning point that leads to more success at higher levels. With the US Open just around the corner, she’s in a great position to make another deep run.
Her win also inspires young players and fans around the world, especially in Canada and the Middle East, where tennis is growing in popularity. Fernandez’s story of bouncing back from doubt and proving herself again is something many can relate to.
As the tennis season continues, fans will be watching closely to see how far Leylah Fernandez can go. Based on her performance in Washington, it looks like the best is yet to come.
