{
  "id": 17371582,
  "title": "In-form Fernandez sets up Tokyo final against Russia’s Shnaider",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/in-form-fernandez-sets-up-tokyo-final-against-russias-shnaider-17371582",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T08:21:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/31/in-form-fernandez-sets-up-tokyo-final-against-russia-s-shnaider"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Leylah Fernandez, ranked 23rd in the world, credits her success in the Asian swing to her hard work and mental resilience. The Canadian tennis player, who secured her first title of the season in Singapore in September, reached the second final in a row after defeating Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3. Fernandez's impressive performance in Tokyo was matched by her previous victory over world number one Elena Rybakina in Ningbo, where she lost in the final. In the other semi-final, Fernandez defeated Slovakia's 18-year-old Mia Pohankova 6-4, 7-6 (9/7). The 24-year-old US Open finalist attributes her success to her determination and ability to remain composed in challenging situations. Fernandez and her team decided to participate in as many matches as possible following her loss in the third round of the US Open in September. Shnaider, ranked 13th, is seeking her first title of the year after defeating former junior Wimbledon champion Mia Pohankova.",
  "summary": "The world number 23 from Canada defeated Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 to reach her second consecutive final.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Canada’s Fernandez beats Uzbekistan’s Rakhimova to reach final in Japan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/canadas-fernandez-beats-uzbekistans-rakhimova-to-reach-final-in-japan",
        "published": "2026-10-31T05:11:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "Canada’s in-form Leylah Fernandez reaches Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/canadas-in-form-leylah-fernandez-reaches-pan-pacific-open-final-in",
        "published": "2026-10-31T06:36:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}