Fil-Canadian Leylah Fernandez advances to DC Open final
Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns the ball against Jessica Pegula during a match at the Citi Open tennis tournament Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON – Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez advanced to the Mubadala Citi DC Open final after a grueling three-hour, 12-minute win over No.3 seed Elena Rybakina on Saturday at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.
The 22-year-old from Laval, Quebec, prevailed 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) to reach her seventh WTA Tour singles final. Fernandez, currently ranked No. 36 in the world, will seek her fourth career WTA singles title Sunday against Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya, the world No.11 and recent doubles champion at the Madrid Open.
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The singles final in Washington, D.C., is scheduled for Sunday at the FitzGerald Tennis Center, with the winner set to receive $420,525 and 500 ranking points.
Fernandez, whose mother, Irene, is of Filipino descent and whose father, Jorge, emigrated from Ecuador, has often credited her heritage as a source of inspiration and motivation. Her win over Rybakina marks another milestone for the left-handed Canadian, whose WTA season to date includes several strong results on hard courts and a match record of 16-17 in 2025.
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She rose to international prominence as the 2021 US Open runner-up, gaining global recognition with a dramatic run to the final in New York.
Fernandez also played a key role in Canada’s historic first Billie Jean King Cup championship in November 2023, going unbeaten at the finals in Seville and clinching the decisive match.
Her challenger in Sunday’s final, Kalinskaya, 26, reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 11 after a stellar run to the Australian Open quarterfinals in 2024 and the Dubai final that same year. Kalinskaya’s game is defined by aggressive baseline play and consistency, posing a significant test for Fernandez.
Fernandez continues to serve as a role model for young athletes from multicultural backgrounds, consistently emphasizing perseverance and dedication as keys to success on and off the court.
A win Sunday would not only give her a first career title in Washington but also further establish her as one of the most promising competitors in women’s tennis.
The Citi Open final promises to be a showcase of grit and rising talent, as Fernandez chases another historic milestone in her already distinguished career.
