After comeback win, Leylah Fernandez reaches Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo in fine form for Canada
Fernandez rallies in both sets
Fernandez overcame a break deficit in the opening set before taking it 7-5. She repeated the recovery in the second, winning 6-3 after Rakhimova moved ahead early. The match lasted just under two hours. Fernandez struck nine aces as she secured her place in the final.
A strong Asian swing
Fernandez lost in Ningbo to World No 1 Elena Rybakina. She advanced to the semifinals in Tokyo after Rybakina withdrew with a neck injury, a day after securing the year-end world No 1 ranking.
Rakhimova’s run ends
Rakhimova is ranked 66th and had been eliminated in Tokyo qualifying. She entered the main draw as a lucky loser and advanced to the semifinals. The Uzbek player was seeking her first WTA Tour final, but Fernandez stopped her run.
Final opponent still undecided
Fernandez will play either Russia’s Diana Shnaider or Slovakia’s Mia Pohankova on Sunday in the WTA 500 Pan Pacific Open final. She will be aiming to claim her seventh WTA Tour title.
Key points
- Fernandez beat Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 to reach the Tokyo final.
- She came back from a break down in both sets and hit nine aces.
- It is Fernandez’s third final of 2026 after Singapore and Ningbo.
- She will face Diana Shnaider or Mia Pohankova on Sunday.