Leylah Fernandez has defeated Elena Rybakina to advance to the Washington Open final.
The Canadian star has the opportunity to win her first WTA Tour title since 2023, and she will attempt to do so against Russia’s Anna Kalinskaya on Sunday evening in DC. Kalinskaya defeated Emma Raducanu in her Washington semi-final, preventing a rematch of the 2021 US Open final.
Fernandez, who reached the US Open final in 2021, came through a gargantuan contest against Rybakina, eventually triumphing 6-7 7-6 7-6.
Saturday’s victory was not the first time the Canadian had beaten Rybakina. The pair had played against each other twice previously, both in 2024.
Most recently Fernandez beat the 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina at the 2024 Cincinnati Open, again in three sets.
Leylah Fernandez received a ‘reality check’ from her coaching team while playing Elena Rybakina at the 2024 Cincinnati Open
Fernandez spoke to the Tennis Channel after her victory at the Cincinnati Open 2024. The match set a precedent for what was to take place at the 2025 Washington Open, as Fernandez won another brutal three-set match.
Fernandez again battled her way to a 3-6 7-6 6-4 victory over Rybakina.
After the second round victory, Fernandez said: “My coach, my box, they were telling me she’s probably a little bit taller than you, a little bit stronger than you. Like stop being dumb and just put the ball in.
“So it was like a good reality check. So it was nice that they put me into my place and said you got other talents too, put the ball in.”
Fernandez certainly has a huge opportunity to claim a statement victory on Sunday evening. With many of the high-profile names exiting the competition at an early stage, the Canadian star will be relishing the opportunity.
She has most definitely demonstrated the recent form needed to complete the task at hand. As well as beating Rybakina, Fernandez also defeated number one seed Jessica Pegula at an earlier stage of the competition.
Leylah Fernandez’s run to the 2025 Washington Open final
Fernandez, who revealed the coaching advice she received during her victory over Rybakina, has certainly beaten some notable names on her way to the 2025 Washington Open final.
First, she faced recent Eastbourne Open champion Maya Joint, who beat Emma Raducanu on her way to that title. However, Fernandez comfortably beat the young Australian player, winning 6-3 6-3.
| 2025 Washington Open Round | Opponent/Result |
| Round of 32 | beat Maya Joint 6-3 6-3 |
| Round of 16 | beat Jessica Pegula 6-3 1-6 7-5 |
| Quarter-finals | beat Taylor Townsend 6-4 7-6 |
| Semi-finals | beat Elena Rybakina 6-7 7-6 7-6 |
The 22-year-old then stunned the DC crowd by beating number one seed Jessica Pegula in three sets, before defeating Venus Williams’ conqueror, Taylor Townsend, in the quarter-finals.
Following her victory over Rybakina, Fernandez will face Anna Kalinskaya on Sunday evening. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30pm GMT.
