Leylah Fernandez delivered the crucial win for Canada to upset Spain on their home soil getting their Billie Jean King Cup Finals underway.
The first tie for the Canadian team was a tricky one as they faced host nation Spain in Seville. The first match went the way of Canada, so when Fernandez and Sorribes Tormo stepped up to play it was go time. It was a crucial match, and both players played like that.
The match was very close as it finished in two tiebreaks and each time, it was Fernandez who came out on top. Sorribes Tormo is a very tricky player who switches the rhythm quite often which can give Fernandez trouble. She mostly likes to trade blows from the baseline which is what she's good at.
The trouble for Fernandez was noticeable in both sets as she down a break in both sets, twice in the opening set. Sorribes Tormo jumped out to an early lead but gave it back soon after. She then broke again but allowed Fernandez to break back and force the tiebreak.
Sorribes Tormo will run you into the ground with long rallies but she can't really step up and hit a winner the way Fernandez can. That proved the difference in the very close opening set tiebreak which Fernandez won 10-8.
The second set was very similar as once again Sorribes Tormo had an early lead but couldn't hold it. In the tiebreak, it was Fernandez who threw away a 4-1 lead to nearly lose the set. She rallied in time to win it 9-7. Her level wasn't consistent, but she battled hard the entire match and eventually overpowered her opponent, who doesn't have many weapons.
The final score was 7-6(8) 7-6(7) for Fernandez who continues to win after a recent solid run in China.
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