Leylah Fernandez’s winning streak in Japan continues as the 23-year-old Canadian, who recently clinched the Japan Open title in Osaka, defeated Maria Sakkari from Greece in the opening round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Fernandez secured a victory over the 30-year-old qualifier after a two-hour battle, winning 7-6 (5), 6-4. During the match, Fernandez displayed two aces, one double fault, 47 unforced errors, and 32 winners. She maintained a 58% first serve points won and 50% second serve points won rate, saving six out of 11 break points and converting six out of 10 break points.
In another match, Victoria Mboko from Toronto triumphed over Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga in a 6-3, 6-3 showdown. The all-Ontario battle lasted 73 minutes, with Andreescu committing 19 unforced errors and Mboko recording 18. Mboko tallied three double faults, one ace, and 21 winners, achieving a 77% first serve points won and 50% second serve points won rate. She managed to win three out of eight return games.
Meanwhile, Denis Shapovalov progressed to the second round of the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament with a hard-fought 6-7 (3), 6-0, 7-6 (4) victory over Marcos Giron from the United States. Despite facing five double faults, Shapovalov utilized 13 aces and converted five out of eight break-point opportunities. Giron, on the other hand, broke Shapovalov only twice out of seven chances. Shapovalov, who recently reached the semifinals at the Stockholm Open, now holds a 2-3 record against Giron.
With this win, Shapovalov, the ninth seed in Basel, is set to face lucky loser Valentin Royer from France in the next round, whom he defeated earlier this year at the U.S. Open. The upcoming action at the ATP 500 tournament will feature an exciting all-Montreal clash between fifth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo.
