Leylah Fernandez has advanced to the quarter-finals of the Nottingham Open, showcasing a dominant performance on the grass court. The Canadian tennis star, currently ranked No. 30 in the world, secured her place in the next round with a straight-sets victory over Spain's Cristina Bucsa.
Fernandez defeated Bucsa 6-3, 6-4, in a match that lasted one hour and 43 minutes. Throughout the match, Fernandez demonstrated resilience, particularly in defending break points. She faced nine break points but managed to save eight of them, maintaining her lead and preventing Bucsa from gaining momentum. Fernandez capitalized on her own opportunities, breaking Bucsa's serve three times out of six chances.
In her post-match comments, Fernandez expressed respect for her opponent, acknowledging Bucsa's fighting spirit and the challenges she has posed in their previous encounters. Fernandez highlighted her satisfaction with her positive mindset and ability to harness the energy of the crowd during crucial moments.
Looking ahead, Fernandez is set to face Dayana Yastremska in the quarter-finals. Yastremska, a Ukrainian player, advanced to the quarter-finals after a three-set victory against Croatian qualifier Antonia Ruzic, with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Fernandez has a favorable record against Yastremska, with two wins in their previous encounters.
Other notable results from the Nottingham Open include Rebecca Sramkova's comeback win against fourth seed Yulia Putintseva and Linda Noskova's victory over British wildcard Francesca Jones. Sramkova will face Noskova in another quarter-final match.
The Nottingham Open, a WTA 250 event held on grass courts, serves as a lead-up tournament to Wimbledon. Fernandez's performance in Nottingham is particularly noteworthy, considering her relatively limited experience on grass. According to her ITF profile, she has a 0% win rate on grass.
Beyond her singles performance, Fernandez has also achieved significant success in doubles. She reached a career-high ranking of No. 17 in doubles in October 2023 and was a finalist at the French Open in doubles that same year. Her current doubles ranking is No. 35 as of June 9, 2025.
Fernandez's recent form has been solid, with a quarterfinal appearance at the Auckland Open and a third-round showing at the Australian Open earlier this year. Her year-end ranking in 2024 was 31 and is currently ranked 30 as of June 16, 2025.
As Leylah Fernandez continues her campaign at the Nottingham Open, tennis fans will be watching to see if she can maintain her momentum and secure a spot in the semi-finals.
