Canada’s Fernandez outlasts Sasnovich in three sets to reach Ningbo Open quarters

Canada's Leylah Annie Fernandez edged past Belarusian player Aliaksandra Sasnovich in three sets to advance to the quarterfinals of the Ningbo Open on Wednesday. The 24-year-old from Laval, Que., needed three hours to secure a 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-3 victory over Sasnovich, who ranked 122nd in the world at the time. This win improved Fernandez's career record against Sasnovich to 2-2.

Fernandez, currently ranked 30th globally, overcame 53 unforced errors and eight double faults to claim her second straight three-set match. Sasnovich, on the other hand, committed 73 unforced errors. Fernandez sealed the victory on her first match point, converting eight of 15 break-point opportunities, while Sasnovich managed only five of six.

The Canadian Press reported on October 21, 2026, that Fernandez will face the winner of Wednesday's match between third-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine and Russia's Ekaterina Alexandrova. Fernandez and Kostyuk are also set to compete in the doubles quarterfinals against top seeds Nicole Melichar of the United States and Cristina Bucsa of Spain.