Leylah Annie Fernandez of Montreal, Quebec is in the final of the 2026 Ningbo Open in China. On Saturday, Fernandez upset Maria Bouzkova of the Czech Republic in the semifinals, 6-3, 7-5. The semifinal win for Fernandez was considered a minor upset as the Canadian is ranked 30th in the world, and Bouzkova is ranked 26th.
Fernandez broke Bouzkova eight times in the match. Overall, Fernandez had 18 break point opportunities. Fernandez won 79 points, and Bouzkova won 63 points.
At the Ningbo Open, Fernandez has delivered two upsets. She also defeated Elise Mertens of Belgium 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the first round on Monday. Mertens is ranked 15th in the world. In Ningbo this week, Fernandez also beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 in the second round, and Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.
Next up for Fernandez is the world number one Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan. Rybakina is a three-time grand slam champion. She won Wimbledon in 2022, the Australian Open in 2026 and the United States Open in 2026. Fernandez is a grand slam finalist as she made the final two of the 2021 United States Open.
This will be the sixth meeting between Fernandez and Rybakina. Fernandez has a record of two wins and three losses. Fernandez beat Rybakina 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the second round of Cincinnati in 2024, and Rybakina again 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 in the semifinals of Washington in 2025.
Fernandez has a record of six wins and three losses in WTA Finals. Her titles came at the 2021 and 2022 Monterrey Open, the 2023 Hong Kong Open, 2025 Washington Open, 2025 Japan Women’s Open and 2026 Singapore Open.
