Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez is making waves once again at the 2024 Wuhan Open, a prestigious WTA 1000 event in China. On October 9, 2024, Fernandez secured her place in the tournament’s last 16 after an intense three-set battle against Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova. The match was nothing short of a thriller, lasting nearly three hours, with Fernandez showcasing her resilience and mental toughness to claim a hard-fought 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(4) victory​(

Fernandez’s Journey So Far

This recent win over Rakhimova comes after Fernandez’s equally challenging second-round encounter, where she upset 12th seed Diana Shnaider in a three-set match (6-7, 6-3, 6-3). Known for her powerful groundstrokes and relentless energy, the 22-year-old Canadian has been on a steady rise in the tennis world. Her current ranking of No. 28 reflects her consistent performances throughout the season, where she has already reached two WTA 1000 quarterfinals​(

Match Highlights Against Rakhimova

In the match against Rakhimova, Fernandez dominated the first set with a 6-2 win, but the Russian bounced back in the second set, taking advantage of some missed opportunities by Fernandez to level the score. The third set became a true test of willpower, as both players exchanged breaks before reaching a dramatic tiebreaker. Fernandez, initially trailing in the tiebreak, dug deep, stringing together a series of winners to clinch the match​(

Upcoming Challenge: Qinwen Zheng

Fernandez now faces Qinwen Zheng, the fifth seed and local favorite, in the Round of 16. The two players have met twice before, with Fernandez holding a 2-0 lead in their head-to-head encounters. The Canadian will be looking to replicate her success from earlier in the season when she defeated Zheng in straight sets at the Qatar Open​(

Zheng, however, has been in solid form and will pose a formidable challenge on her home turf.

Fernandez’s 2024 Season So Far

Fernandez’s season has been marked by impressive performances and some key wins against higher-ranked opponents. She reached the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open and the Qatar Open earlier this year, solidifying her place among the WTA’s elite. Her journey in 2024 has been one of growth, showing not just her trademark aggression from the baseline but also improved serve consistency and a better all-court game​(

A Star on the Rise

At just 22 years old, Fernandez has already established herself as one of Canada’s top tennis talents, following in the footsteps of fellow stars like Bianca Andreescu and Felix Auger-Aliassime. Her ability to maintain composure during high-pressure moments, combined with her attacking style, has won her fans worldwide. Her performances in Wuhan further underline her potential to become a Grand Slam champion in the coming years.