Leylah Fernandez shows fighting spirit to win DC Open tiebreak duel with Elena Rybakina

Leylah Fernandez emerged victorious in a gripping battle with Elena Rybakina Saturday to reach the Mubadala Citi DC Open final in Washington, D.C.

And she did so after Rybakina served for the match in the second set, leading to a dramatic encounter lasting three hours and 16 minutes.

On a day that produced little to separate the competitors, it was Fernandez who out-served the 2022 Wimbledon champion when it counted to secure the 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) victory.

"'Hard work' and 'fight' has been the pillars, my tennis journey, my dad and I and our family on everyday life," Fernandez told press.

The left-hander won 16 of her first 17 points on serve, but watched as Rybakina rocketed consecutive return winners in the opening tiebreak to swing the momentum in her favor. The Kazakh appeared to be in control by securing an immediate break to launch set two, but an inability to extend her lead to a double break despite chances in her next two return games—including 0-40 at 3-1—would later cost the No. 3 seed.

Sensing Rybakina’s tightness, Fernandez worked the energy of the crowd to her advantage to level for 5-5. Back in another now-or-never situation, the Canadian opened a 5-0 lead en route to trading tiebreaks on the scoreboard.

Neither player managed to create a break point in the decider, leading to one final shootout. Fernandez saved two of her best forehand strikes of the encounter to open a 4-0 advantage. While Rybakina regained one of the mini breaks, Fernandez would not be denied to complete the comeback effort when her opponent’s forehand flew long.

The 22-year-old is through to her first final of the season and is 3-3 in her previous trips. Fernandez aims to celebrate her first title at the 500 level against Anna Kalinskaya, who is seeking her maiden WTA trophy.

Kalinskaya defeated Emma Raducanu, 6-4, 6-3, in an all-unseeded matchup. The Moscow native saved five of the six break points she faced, sealing the win when the 2021 US Open champion's forehand found the net.

Her run this week, which has taken Kalinskaya over .500, has moved the 26-year-old into US Open seed territory.