Leylah Fernandez was the woman for Team Canada in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers as she secured their spot in the Finals.
Canada's team certainly wasn't as strong as it could have been as their highest-ranked singles player, Bianca Andreescu, couldn't join the team on the court due to an injury. However, she was present with the team in the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada, and she witnessed incredible heroics by her compatriot Leylah Fernandez.
In Andreescu's absence, it was Fernandez who was the team leader and she showed incredible maturity as a leader. It all started with a dominant victory over Yanina Wickmayer on Friday as the 2021 US Open finalist won comfortably 6-0, 6-3.
But her compatriot, Rebecca Marino couldn't follow up on a good start as she lost a 6-4, 4-1 lead against Ysaline Bonaventure, eventually losing the match 6-4, 4-6, 4-6. But Fernandez was ready to save the day on Saturday again.
She started with a comeback victory over Bonaventure, beating her 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, but she would need to step on the court again. Katherine Sebov couldn't outlast Greet Minnen, as the Belgian player won 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 and the doubles match had to decide the tie.
Leylah Fernandez teamed up with Gabriela Dabrowski as the two enjoyed a lot of success together in the past. They took on Kirsten Flipkens and Greet Minnen and they had a massive advantage as the packed Pacific Coliseum supported them from the first rally.
Fernandez and Dabrowski took advantage of the support and pulled off an incredible performance. The Canadian duo dominated the match from start to finish, winning it 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour to secure Canada's spot in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The home hero is surely Fernandez who won two of her country's points in the singles and the decisive third point in doubles and significantly contributed to her country's victory over Belgium.
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