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Leylah Fernandez Indian Wells 2021
Tennis News, US Open Tennis, WTA Tennis Players

‘I am in love with Indian Wells’ – US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez makes winning start


Canadian star Leylah Fernandez made a winning start at Indian Wells in her first match since losing to Emma Raducanu in the US Open final.

The 19-year-old outplayed world number 64 Alize Cornet en route to a 6-2 6-3 victory in one hour and 24 minutes in front of a packed Stadium 2.

Fernandez broke the Frenchwoman’s serve on five occasions in the match and continued her aggressive tennis which worked so well for her at the US Open with 24 winners.

“I’m very happy with the way I played. I trained very hard after the US Open final and playing for the first time in Indian Wells I was happy that the crowd came and cheered me on and I am happy to play in front of them.”

“I’m in love with Indian Wells and the people here are so amazing and so nice and so welcoming and for me, it’s tennis paradise and I am enjoying every minute of it.”

The 19-year-old star is one of several Canadians at the Indian Wells event, with Denis Shapovalov, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Bianca Andreescu also in action in California.

Victory for Fernandez has set up a mouthwatering third-round encounter against French Open finalist Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who earlier beat Madison Keys in straight sets 6-3, 6-1.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.