By Canadian Press

Fernandez wins, gives Canada 2-1 lead over Belgium in BJK Cup qualifier

Apr 15, 2023 | 5:54 PM

VANCOUVER — Leylah Fernandez completed a gritty comeback Saturday, giving Canada a 2-1 lead over Belgium at a Billie Jean King Cup qualifier in Vancouver. 

The 20-year-old from Laval, Que., struggled early against Ysaline Bonaventure — the top-ranked Belgian in the event — but clawed her way back for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 victory.

Bonaventure, who was coming off a 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win over Vancouver’s Rebecca Marino on Friday, dominated the two-hour, 26-minute match early before running into a series of unforced errors in the second and third sets.

Fernandez took 5-of-20 break points Saturday and varied her shots, putting in 15 forehand winners and eight backhand winners. 

The best-of-five women’s World Cup of tennis competition continues Saturday with Marino taking on Yanina Wickmayer in singles play before Fernandez and Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski face Kirsten Flipkens and Greet Minnen in doubles action.

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The Vancouver event is one of nine qualifiers taking place around the globe this week. Winners will advance to November’s finals.

After cruising to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Wickmayer on Friday, Fernandez — the current No. 50 in the WTA rankings — ran into trouble early against Bonaventure. 

The 86th-ranked Belgian took a 4-1 lead in the first set as Fernandez fought to find her serve, chalking up four double faults in the first five games.

As the match progressed, the young Canadian began mixing up her shots and luring her opponent to the net, forcing errors. Fernandez cut the deficit to 4-3 before Bonaventure took the set 6-4. 

The players repeatedly traded points across a tightly contested second, with neither stealing the momentum. 

Fernandez took a 6-5 lead thanks to a challenge that ruled Bonaventure’s shot just out of play. The Canadian crowd roared as she returned to the court from a changeover and Fernandez responded by breaking Bonaventure in the deciding game.

The former U.S. Open finalist continued to dominate in the third jumping out to a 3-0 cushion.

Bonaventure scored a break point late in the set to make it 5-2, but Fernandez responded with a break of her own to clinch the victory.

Last year, Canada swept Latvia in a Vancouver qualifier and advanced to the finals in Glasgow, where they topped Italy before falling to Switzerland in group play. Switzerland went on to win the world title.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 15, 2023.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press