Leylah Fernandez won the Japan Open title on Sunday, defeating young star Tereza Valentova in the final.
Fernandez proved too strong for her 18-year-old opponent, winning the contest 6-0, 5-7, 6-3.
This title follows Fernandez’s successful week in August, when she captured the Washington Open title.
The former US Open finalist has demonstrated her innate talent throughout the latter half of 2025, and she is certainly a player to keep an eye on for the 2026 campaign.
Leylah Fernandez has won two WTA Tour titles in 2025
Throughout the latter half of 2025, Fernandez has captured two WTA Tour titles: the Washington Open and Japan Open.
Winning a title at the highest level is no easy task, no matter the size of the event. Just ask top-10 ATP player Lorenzo Musetti, who has failed to win a title since 2022.
Remarkably, Fernandez has won the same number of titles in 2025 [albeit at smaller events] as WTA top 10 players Amanda Anisimova and Mirra Andreeva. Moreover, Fernandez has won more titles in 2025 than world number eight Jasmine Paolini.
Leylah Fernandez has beaten the very best in 2025
The Canadian has overcome some of the biggest and best players on the WTA Tour this season.
In February, Fernandez stunned eighth seed Emma Navarro to reach the Qatar Open round of 16. Six months later, the 23-year-old defeated Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina on her way to winning the Washington Open title.
Fernandez has also produced spirited performances during losses, most notably pushing Naomi Osaka to three sets in Wuhan, and falling to a 7-6, 7-6 defeat to Jasmine Paolini at the Bad Homburg Open.
Leylah Fernandez moves back into the WTA top 25
After a disappointing set of results to start the year, Leylah Fernandez has revitalised her campaign and has now moved back into the WTA top 25.
The Canadian is set to move up five places in the rankings after her victory in Japan, to world number 22.
If the Canadian can maintain her status within the top 32 for the foreseeable future, she will be in a better position to receive favourable draws at Grand Slam tournaments in the future.
However…
Leylah Fernandez has been unable to make the leap into the WTA top 10 during her career. Her career high ranking is 13, achieved in 2022.
Fernandez has unquestionable talent, which can be utilised to beat any player on any given day. However, she currently lacks the consistency to break into the upper echelon of the sport.
Between the Dubai Tennis Championships in February and the Washington Open in July, Fernandez won just six of her 17 WTA Tour-level singles matches; a run that made Fernandez consider taking a break from the sport.
Between the Washington Open and Japan Open, Fernandez won only four of her 10 singles matches across six tournaments.
Fernandez simply must develop greater consistency on the WTA Tour if she hopes to reach the next level. She has the ability to challenge the very best, but must do so on a more frequent basis.
