By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipina-Canadian Leylah Fernandez’s magical run in the ongoing 2021 US Open will still be in full display after ousting the three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber in three thrilling sets, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, and punched a ticket to the tournament’s quarterfinal stage.
There will be no goodbyes for the world no. 73 as Fernandez once again showed the world she belongs with the top dogs of the division by putting up a striking clinic against the world no. 16 Kerber.
The German sensation opened the match with her signature forehand leftie bombs and caught the 18-year-old Fil-Canadian off guard for the first 15 minutes of the match.
Kerber would continue her assault in the second set and stayed with her baseline game but Fernandez suddenly figured things out and stormed back to force a tiebreak.
The Fil-Canadian flipped the switch and was able to counter Kerber’s baseline prowess when she began dominating in the net area to register easy points.
Now with momentum on her side, Fernandez also lessened her unforced errors to begin the third and final set on a positive note.
Fernandez continued to apply pressure and was able to match Kerber’s intensity to score her second-straight stunning win after taking down world no. 3 Naomi Osaka in the previous round.
With another huge victory, Fernandez will be facing a different beast in Elina Svitolina, the current world no. 5, in the quarterfinals.
