Canada Hero Fernandez Keeps Final Hopes Alive After Beating Vondrousova

| by Erik Virostko

Leylah Fernandez is a real MVP for Team Canada at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, beating Marketa Vondrousova to keep the country's hopes of reaching the final alive.

Only recently, the Canadian was on a seven-match winning streak, and while that streak ended, she came to Seville for the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, and displayed her form to every opponent from Spain to Poland and, most recently, also the Czech Republic.

After eliminating the United States, in a victory to which Marketa Vondrousova contributed with a crucial win, the Czechs took on an inspired Canada, who were in great form ahead of the semifinal tie, not losing a single match before.

That changed in the first match of the semifinal tie, when Marina Stakusic lost to Barbora Krejcikova who proved to be too strong for the 18-year-old, who was a crucial piece in the puzzle for Canada.

But after Stakusic lost, the pressure was on for Fernandez, who faced Wimbledon champion Vondrousova, who lost only two games against Sofia Kenin in her only match at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

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However, after wasting six break points in the opening game of the match, the Czech player completely lost the momentum, allowing her opponent to break her serve twice, and very quickly the scoreboard showed 0-4.

Fernandez was able to add one more break after that, winning the first set 6-2. But the Canadian couldn't keep the same form also in the second set, this time allowing her opponent to break her twice, losing the set 2-6.

But after Vondrousova broke for an early lead in the third set, the Czech player was overwhelmed by her inspired opponent. Fernandez proved to be just too strong and too motivated, winning the third set and the match 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 to force the decisive doubles match in the semifinal tie.

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