Leylah Fernandez advanced to the third round of the US Open on Wednesday with a straight-sets victory over Thai player Mananchaya Sawangkaew. The result marks the second consecutive two-set win for the Canadian, positioning her for a matchup against No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in the next round.
How does Fernandez's draw compare to her 2021 run?
Fernandez faces Pegula, whom she defeated in their previous meeting in Washington DC last year. Five years ago at the same tournament, Fernandez reached the final as a qualifier ranked No. 73, upsetting third seed Naomi Osaka and later defeating fifth seed Elina Svitolina and second seed Aryna Sabalenka on her path to the decider. She ultimately fell to Emma Raducanu in that final but subsequently climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 13 the following year.
What has Fernandez faced since 2021?
Injuries and form struggles have affected Fernandez in the years since her breakthrough run. Her return to the third round at Flushing Meadows suggests she may be rediscovering momentum at the venue where she first emerged as a Grand Slam contender.
The third round is scheduled for the coming days as the tournament continues.
Sources
- US Open Tennis Championships: Who won on Tuesday at the 2026 US Open? Results and highlights. US Open Tennis Championships, 2026-09-01.
- Australian Open: Five women finding form at the US Open. Australian Open, 2026-09-03.
Reported from public sources.