Leylah Fernandez has made headlines again by moving on to the prestigious Hong Kong Open’s quarterfinals upon her win against Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 at Victoria Park Tennis Centre.
Reaching this stage is a significant milestone in the Canadian tennis player’s career, and Fernandez’s fans from around the world are now rooting for her to go all the way.
This star player started gaining international popularity in 2021 during her participation in the US Open at only 19 years old. Her progression in the Hong Kong Open has similarly brought her a lot of attention while shaking things up for punters in the competition.
Tennis has become very popular among punters given the wealth of local and international online sportsbooks that now offer the sport as a mainstream betting option. With Fernandez’s odds for her quarter-final clash against Bernada Pera currently at -275 compared to Pera’s +210, Fernandez is the clear favourite to progress.
For Canadians looking to back their countrywoman, there are plenty of options for anyone looking for a great sportsbook in Canada. According to sports betting expert Neil Roarty, these sites offer a wide selection of sports betting options. As Fernandez continues to show off her impressive skills and resilience on the court, bettors knowledgeable with tennis can leverage features like generous bonuses, a wider array of betting options and faster payments.
However, it turns out, Fernandez’s grit and agile footwork, especially on groundstrokes, have already gotten her noticed and could play a huge role in the quarterfinals. She’s gotten through some challenges in the past which many of her fans believe have prepared her for this very moment.
Given her age and relative inexperience on grand stages so far, progressing to the semis will be both a test of her physical endurance and her mental toughness as the pressure and enormity of the occasion builds up. National pride is also fueling her desire to put Canada on the map as the Hong Kong Open is a significant event on the WTA calendar.
Fernandez’s opponent in the quarterfinals is Bernarda Pera, an American tennis player with far more experience. This underscores the importance of Fernandez’s need to deliver impeccable gameplay and remain dedicated and resilient despite the odds stacked against her.
The prospect of reaching the finals will also open up further opportunities as her ranking points can likely boost her exposure. Fernandez will also have a point to prove three years after coming agonizingly close to winning her first Grand Slam. In 2021, she reached the US Open final and lost to British tennis player Emma Raducanu. Her feat almost replicated Bianca Andreescu, who just two years prior became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title when she won the US Open.
Three years prior, Milos Rianos became the first Canadian to reach the final of Wimbledon. These recent showings and Fernandez’s performances so far have been inspiring a massive wave of tennis interest among Canadians.
Fernandez’s unique playing style and relentless approach could prove decisive as she’s already favoured to progress to the top of the leaderboard.