Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez defeated second-seeded Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 7-6(1) in the first round of the Lexus Nottingham Open on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, on grass at Nottingham Tennis Centre. The match lasted one hour and 51 minutes and marked a significant upset, as Fernandez entered as one of the tournament's top seeds.
How did Sonmez take control of the match?
Sonmez won the opening set 6-4 by capturing 35 of 66 points played in that frame, establishing early control. Fernandez responded aggressively in the second set and built a 5-3 lead with a set point within reach, but Sonmez steadied herself in the critical moments. The Canadian player's momentum stalled as Sonmez held serve and forced a tiebreak, where the Turkish player dominated 7-1 to seal the victory.
What happens next for Sonmez?
Sonmez advanced to the round of 16, where she will face Swiss qualifier Viktorija Golubic. The first-round victory represents one of the more notable upsets of the tournament's opening round, as Sonmez eliminated a seeded opponent from the main draw.
Sources
- Karlobag.eu: Zeynep Sonmez knocks out Leylah Fernandez at WTA Nottingham after tense first-round tie-break. Published June 18, 2026.
- Sportskeeda: Leylah Fernandez vs Zeynep Sonmez preview, head-to-head, odds, prediction & betting tips | Nottingham Open 2026. Published June 16, 2026.
Reported from public sources.