Leylah Fernandez's campaign at the China Open ended in the first round when she fell to Uzbek player Kamilla Rakhimova 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 in a two-hour, 33-minute match at the Beijing tournament. The loss came just days after Fernandez won her sixth career title at the Singapore tournament, where she defeated Australian Talia Gibson 7-5, 6-0 in the final on Sunday.
Why Fernandez struggled against Rakhimova
Rakhimova's superior second-serve performance proved decisive in the match. According to La Presse, Rakhimova won 64 percent of points played on her second serve, compared to just 35 percent for Fernandez. Rakhimova converted five of her 11 break-point opportunities, including the final break that sealed the victory in the third set.
What's next for Fernandez
Rakhimova will face American player Iva Jovic, ranked No. 13, in the third round. Fernandez received a first-round bye at the China Open before her opening-round exit.
Sources
- La Presse: Omnium de Chine Leylah Annie Fernandez s'incline d'entrée de jeu. Published October 3, 2026.
Reported from public sources.