Leylah Fernandez Makes a Tokyo Encore, Tops Maria Sakkari in a Thrilling Thriller
21 October 2025
Match details: A dramatic first-set turnaround
Despite the long journey from Osaka to Tokyo, Leylah Fernandez delivered a performance that belied any fatigue. After five straight wins en route to a title last week, questions lingered about her form in the opening match against Maria Sakkari on Tuesday.
Fernandez trailed 5-2 in the first set but reeled off four straight games to force a tiebreak, where she battled back from a 4-0 deficit to win seven of the next eight points and take the opener 7-6.
She also faced a break in the second set but ultimately prevailed 7-6, 6-4 in two hours of play.
Post-match, she told the WTA site that matches against Sakkari are always tough because she fights fiercely and plays aggressively. “I’m happy I could stay positive most of the time, and the home support really helped,” she said.
Overcoming serving issues and continuing the streak
On the surface, her serve looked solid—66% of first serves in, well above her seasonal average—but she won 59% of those points and was broken three times in the first set and five times overall before answering with timely breaks of Sakkari’s serve.
After breaking Sakkari twice to move ahead 4-2, Fernandez answered with two more breaks and then closed out the second-set heroically as she faced a set point at 5-4.
The biggest early issue was her forehand, which produced 30 unforced errors, mostly off aggressive shots. Yet in the clutch moments, the forehand delivered, including a decisive point to save a set point in the opener and turning the second set with attacking shots that turned a 4-3 deficit into a win.
This victory extended Fernandez’s winning streak to six straight matches, her longest run since October 2023, and marked her fifth consecutive win over a qualifier. She now meets Elena Rybakina in the second round, a match-up she leads 2-1 in their head-to-head after recent wins this year.
In other Tokyo prep, rising star Victoria Mboko arrived in the city after winning in Montreal and then faced a brief dip in form with four straight first-round losses, before rebounding with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Bianca Andreescu in what was a notable upset. Mboko’s next test is the young Eva Lys, with the German eyeing another deep run.
Earlier in the round, American Sofia Kenin defeated Mio Yoshijima 6-1, 6-3 to set up a second-round clash with Wakana Sonobe, while Romanian Jacqueline Cristian beat Alina Sharipova 6-2, 6-3 to face Ekaterina Alexandrova. Russian Diana Shnaider then downed Diana Yastremska 6-3, 6-1, advancing to a meeting with Anna Kalinskaya.
As the Tokyo event unfolds, the mix of fresh talent and established players promises an entertaining week on the WTA Tour.
Punchlines: 1) If she keeps this pace, the trophy cabinet might need its own zip code. 2) Her forehand is so sharp, even her racket files for a restraining order against bad days.
