In the Japan Women’s Open final, Canadian player Leylah Fernandez started strong but faced a tough challenge from Tereza Valentova of the Czech Republic before securing a 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 victory. Fernandez, 23, from Laval, Que., dominated the first set, taking only 28 minutes, but had to battle for nearly two more hours as Valentova, 18, stepped up her game at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka.
This win marked Fernandez’s fifth career title and her second of 2025, following her earlier victory at the Washington Open. After the match, Fernandez expressed gratitude to her coach and father, Jorge Fernandez, along with her team and family for their unwavering support and sacrifices.
In terms of gameplay, Fernandez showcased three aces, seven winners, and minimal unforced errors and double faults. She outperformed Valentova by winning 43 points on the receiving end compared to Valentova’s 31. Fernandez maintained a 70% first serve win rate and a 46% second serve win rate, saving five out of nine break points, while Valentova saved nine out of 16.
Following her Japan Open triumph, Fernandez is set to compete in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo against Maria Sakkari of Greece, as her initial match against Victoria Mboko of Toronto was rescheduled due to a draw update. Consequently, Mboko will now face Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., in an all-Canadian first-round clash.