Fernandez tips Mertens, reaches final 16 in Mexico

Sep 19, 2023 | 4:48 PM

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez has a date in the final 16 at the Guadalajara Open after knocking off 13th-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium on Tuesday.

Fernandez, of Laval, Quebec, defeated Mertens 6-3, 6-4 in the WTA 1000 tournament and will play the winner of a round-of-32 match between Americans Madison Keys and Emma Navarro.

Both players had three aces in the one-hour, 34-minute match. Mertens had eight double faults while Fernandez had five.

Fernandez saved four of 11 break points while her opponent saved two of six.