Fernandez edges tight battle to upset Rybakina
Leyla Fernandez came from a set down to defeat No.3 seed Elena Rybakina 6–7 (2-7) 7–6 (7-3) 7–6 (7-3) at the Citi Open in Washington, sealing her place in the final against Anna Kalinskaya.
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Rybakina edged a tight first set, gaining the upper hand in the tiebreak with two return winners.
Fernandez dropped her serve in the opening game of the second set, but Rybakina was unable to serve out the match at 5–4, allowing the Canadian to rally and level the contest by taking the second tiebreak.
As in the opener, neither player dropped serve in the third set, but Fernandez grew in confidence and secured victory in three hours and 12 minutes to reach her first final of the season.
