It’s been yet another stunning week for Leylah Fernandez, who has soared into the Ningbo Open final.
Since the US Open began, the Canadian has won 13 matches and lost just three, winning the title in Singapore, and now just one win away from another triumph here in China.
It marks a continuation of her late-season resurgence, which she does have a habit of enjoying.
However, her task gets no easier, and if she is to claim this WTA 500 title, it will take an almighty effort.
After all, standing between her and the trophy is the world number one Elena Rybakina.
Leylah Fernandez previews her Ningbo Open final vs Elena Rybakina
Speaking to the WTA ahead of the final, Leylah Fernandez began with some positive words for her new coach, who has masterminded her fine run of form.
After all, his arrival three months ago has proved to be an intelligent decision, with Eric Hechtman bringing his experience and tactical insight.
The 24-year-old admitted: “We haven’t done anything special, but it’s just the working relationship between my dad, Eric, and myself has been going well. The communication. We’re working hard; we’re a hard-working team. And, you know, it’s just kind of putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and in line.”
She then added: “Eric has done a good job in giving me some tactical plays in the important moments, and it has worked more times than not.
“So I feel like we have a good team and they’re just going to hopefully keep going better from now.”
Fernandez heads into the final in fine form, as aforementioned. Asked how it felt to be enjoying such a long stretch of success, she claimed: “Yeah, it feels so good.
“I mean, at the end of season, I have always done maybe one or two tournaments well, but to do it in consecutive tournaments where I’m winning a few rounds and getting deep in tournaments gives me a lot of confidence that the work that we’re doing is good.”
And finally, on the final, Fernandez concluded: “I think I’m just excited. I mean, we worked so hard these last four matches, and, you know, we’ve got one more match for the week, and it’s like excitement, a little bit of nerves.
“So for myself, I try to kind of have fun in that atmosphere. You know, it’s like one of the first times where I get to play in front of a full crowd today and then hopefully tomorrow too. The atmosphere is a little bit different. There’s more joy from the fans. They’re more into it too.
“So, you know, for myself in the final is to enjoy every moment and to leave it all out there.”
Rybakina is due to play the Tokyo Open right after this event in Ningbo concludes.