Leylah Fernandez is into the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open after beating Shelby Rogers 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
The world No.21 required one hour and 40 minutes to get past her American rival, serving six aces and winning 82% of her first-serve points. It is the second year in a row that the Canadian has reached the last 16 in Indian Wells.
“It was a very good match from both our parts. I think the first set I started off pretty well, serving well. Just returning on key moments fairly good,” said Fernandez.
“The second set, I wasn’t surprised Shelby came out strong. Unfortunately I did a few mistakes on my service game. That gave her the opportunity to go up. I just tried to keep fighting, keep finding solutions, especially trying to break her back. It didn’t work out.’
“(Then) in the third set I’m glad that I still kept fighting, still tried to find solutions. At the end of the day I was happy that my serve worked well, especially on important moments.”
The Montreal native got off to another fast start holding her opening service game and applying pressure right away on the Rogers serve and set up the first two breakpoints of the match with a powerful backhand winner.
The American was able to save them but faced two more and on the fourth opportunity the world number 21 was able to get the break. Then at 4-1 she went up a double break and served out the first set.
The second set was the total opposite and this time it was the world number 49 getting the early break. Cruising from there as she was able to serve out the second set and force a third.
Losing the second set didn’t seem to wear down Fernandez as she came roaring back in the third set breaking serve once again in the first game of the set.
At 3-0, Fernandez had a chance to go up a double break but the South Carolina native saved all three and was able to hold serve. At 5-3 the Montreal native served out the match.
Fernandez will next face a Spaniard in the fourth round in Paula Badosa who beat Sara Sorribes Tormo. Badosa currently leads their head to head 1-0. That win came back at the ASB Classic in 2020 with the Spaniard winning 7-5, 7-6.
“It will be a very tough one. She’s the defending champion. She has a lot of good matches under her belt. I’m very excited to play against her,” said Fernandez.
“It’s going to be an exciting one. I’ll just try to focus on my game and see what my dad has in store for me to execute.”
