Leylah, an unexpected young finalist

Acapulco, Gro., February 28, 2020.- A 17-year-old teenager ended the mexican Renata Zarazua’s dream. The canadian Leylah Fernandez is now a finalist at the Abierto Mexicano de Tenis Telcel, presentado por HSBC, who defeated the mexican 6-3 and 6-3.

Leylah is the first player from the qualy to reach a place in the finals at Acapulco. This will be her first final as a professional, but she is a former champion of Roland Garros (junior category).

Zarazua couldn’t maintain the winning momentum, however, her result remains historic in the last edition of the tournament in this complex. The mexican, who entered the tournament with a wild card and a 270 raking, will add 110 points for her result, jumping about 100 places approximately. Her best ranking was 186 in June 2018.

“I started a little nervous, I feel like she played very well, and I didn’t have time to adjust, But I’m very happy. Playing in a stadium with so many people watching is an experience that you don’t live every day, I’m very grateful. What I take home from this week is the confidence to know that I can take-on good players and beat them, I will remember this for the next tournaments”, Renata said.

The first set opened with an exchange of serve breaks, in the first four games.

In the fourth game, the mexican could not win a single point with her serve, and then in her next serve, the left-handed canadian got in deep shots and finally managed to keep hers, 3-2.

With a backhand, that almost went down the sideline, Renata got 30-40 in the eight game, saved the first break, but with two double faults she lost her serve again. This gave the canadian the opportunity to win the set.

The Canadian showed consistency, speed, power in her shots, and was aggressive coming to the net when she saw the opportunity. The pressure was not a problem for her, she remained focused, without losing any concentration, and always jumping on the tips of her feet so she wouldn’t lose her rhythm.

In the ninth game, Leylah survived two break points, and after 45 minutes, she won the first set.

In the second set, Zarazua was not on top of her game, and with some difficulty, she held her serve in the first game. However, in the third game, Leylah broke her serve, she did the same thing in the fifth game, where she was able to take an advantage that the mexican found impossible to come back, even though she recovered one of the breaks. The match ended with a double fault from Renata when Leylah had math point.

In spite of this, Zarazua got a standing ovation even though the miracle didn’t happen.

“I’m very happy about this, but I want to congratulate Renata on the match. Tomorrow’s match will be very difficult, but I’m ready to fight”, said Leylah.