By Canadian Press

Canada’s Fernandez upsets Zheng, advances to Doha quarterfinals

Feb 14, 2024 | 8:30 AM

DOHA, Qatar — Canada’s Leylah Fernandez advanced to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open with a 7-5, 6-3 upset of fifth seed Qinwen Zheng of China on Wednesday.

Fernandez came back from a 5-3 deficit in the first set, then picked up her third break in four chances in the second set and held the rest of the way to win the match in 92 minutes.

It’s the first win over a top-10 opponent this year for Fernandez, who was ranked as low as No. 95 in July but entered the week at No. 38.

Fernandez improved to 2-0 in the career series between the 21-year-old Grand Slam finalists.

The Canadian defeated Zheng 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (3) in the second round of Monterrey 2022 en route to her second of three WTA titles.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

14h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

Fernandez will next face either No.3 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan or No.16 seed Emma Navarro of the United States.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 14, 2024.

The Canadian Press