Leylah Fernandez defeated world No. 5 Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 7-5 on Friday to advance to her first semi-final of the season at the Singapore WTA event. The Quebec player broke Andreeva's serve at a crucial moment in the second set while her opponent was serving to force a tiebreak, securing the decisive break on her sixth break-point opportunity of the match.
How did Fernandez control the match?
Fernandez won 53 per cent of points when Andreeva was serving, converting six break chances while conceding only three breaks herself. The decisive moment came late in the second set when Fernandez converted a break point to avoid the tiebreak and close out the victory. Fernandez will face Poland's Maja Chwalinska, ranked No. 25, in the semi-final; the two have never played each other.
Shapovalov advances in Chengdu
Denis Shapovalov defeated Czech player Vit Kopriva 6-2, 6-3 in 65 minutes to reach the quarter-finals of the ATP 250 event in Chengdu. The Ontario player excelled on serve, winning 92 per cent of points when his first serve landed in play, and broke Kopriva once despite conceding a break on the only break point against him.
Shapovalov will next face France's Adrian Mannarino, ranked No. 78. Shapovalov leads their head-to-head record three wins to one.