MONTREAL — Leylah Fernandez criticized the schedule on the Nationwide Financial institution Open after the Canadian misplaced within the first spherical of her residence match Tuesday, two days after successful the title in Washington.
She was routed 6-4, 6-1 by Australian Maya Joint in only one hour, quarter-hour. Fernandez, the No. 24-ranked participant, gained her fourth profession WTA title Sunday in Washington and hoped for extra relaxation earlier than returning to the court docket in Montreal.
Fernandez stated she acquired “numerous guarantees” that she would play throughout Tuesday’s night time session, giving her extra time to recuperate between the 2 tournaments, however discovered Sunday whereas touring that that would not be the case.
“I didn’t obtain that,” she stated. “That harm me as a result of I used to be very trying ahead to be taking part in at night time, however I suppose it is slightly bit political points at that time.”
As a substitute, top-seeded Coco Gauff performed fellow American Danielle Collins to open the night time session, overcoming 23 double-faults to win 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (2) for her first victory for the reason that French Open last.
Valerie Tetreault, the Nationwide Financial institution Open match director in Montreal, responded that she promised Fernandez she would “combat in order that she may have the time she wished.”
“However I did not win my combat,” Tetreault stated, noting that the WTA Tour determines scheduling. “I acquired the request for her to play within the night. It is my position to have conversations with the WTA, so I pushed as a lot as potential for her to have what she wished.”
Tetreault added that exceptions had already been made for Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up. The 22-year-old and Joint have been among the many last three first-round matches held till Tuesday, regardless of Fernandez’s half of the bracket beginning play Sunday.
“WTA protocols imply first-round matches have to be accomplished earlier than second-round matches are performed, guaranteeing equity to all gamers,” Tennis Canada stated in a press release. “Given Leylah gained the title in Washington on Sunday, she was not in a position to arrive in Montreal till the early hours of Monday morning. Because of this, the WTA made the choice to play her opening match within the newest potential first-round slot.”
Mirra Andreeva, the No. 4 seed, superior to the third spherical when 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu withdrew after sustaining an ankle harm throughout her first-round victory. No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini was upset by Japan’s Aoi Ito in a third-set tiebreaker, whereas No. 8 Emma Navarro rolled previous Rebecca Marino 6-1, 6-2.