By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Filipina-Canadian law tennis star Leylah Fernandez is now out of the Australian Open after suffering a second-round defeat at the hands of Caroline Garcia- 7.6, 7.5- last January 19, 2023.
Despite an efficient offensive output against the world no. 4 ranked female tennis player, the Fil-Canadian young star still couldn’t solve the Garcia puzzle and melted down in the most crucial stretch of the match.
Fernandez was able to keep it close in all two sets but Garcia always found the edge at the end and relied on her court mastery.
Her experience rose to the occasion as the pride of France countered Fernandez’s heavy baseline game, switching from a power-oriented strategy to an old-school placement hitting technique.
Garcia caught Fernandez off-guard several times during their long rallies when she pulled off a series of terrific drop shots that put the crowd to their feet.
Every time Fernandez attempted for a down-the-line forehand winner, Garcia was always ready to anticipate and fired back a lob shot to her backhand side.
The result favored Garcia as Fernandez always fired a safety backhand stroke to Garcia’s forehand which set up a thundering attack to the Fil-Canadian’s wide court.
Fernandez attempted to disrupt Garcia’s rhythm midway through the second set after throwing ridiculous lobs to catch more air.
However, Garcia’s volley smash rhythm halted Fernandez’s strategy switch and wrapped things up with her quick service game.
With the win, Garcia will be squaring off against Laura Siegemund of Germany in the third round of the women’s singles category.
