“It clearly wasn’t the most effective tennis,” Leylah Fernandez mentioned after inflicting the most important upset of the continuing Cincinnati Open. The Canadian sensation defeated the fourth seed, Elena Rybakina in an exhilarating three-set match to enter the pre-quarterfinals of the event. Such have been the excessive requirements set by her regardless of being simply 21. As Fernandez seems to be to repeat her heroics from the 2021 US Open, the place she reached the ultimate, a promising marketing campaign in Cincinnati will do her a world of excellent. In her path although, stands Diana Shnaider.
Fernandez will tackle the Russian star, Shnaider, within the R16 match. In a conflict between two younger stars, count on lots of motion as the 2 struggle it out on the court docket.
Diana Shnaider vs Leylah Fernandez: Preview
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Shnaider has been within the type of her life, with title victories backed by constant performances event after event. Final month, she gained the Hungarian Open title, adopted by a semifinal look on the Canadian Open. En path to her journey there, she defeated the likes of Coco Gauff and Liudmila Samsonova earlier than shedding in opposition to the eventual champion, Jessica Pegula.
Just like the final two tournaments, Shnaider has dominated within the Cincinnati Open as effectively, up to now. The Russian sensation opened her marketing campaign in opposition to Shuai Zhang, the place she gained in straight units 6-1, 6-4. An analogous snug win over Ashlyn Krueger adopted within the second spherical. Nonetheless, now Fernandez will show to be a giant problem and Shnaider can’t take issues with no consideration.
Fernandez has had an inconsistent type recently. After making it to the finals of the Eastbourne Worldwide, she suffered early exits from the Wimbledon Championships and the Canadian Open. Nonetheless, she seems to have breathed that storm as she upset the fourth seed, Rybakina, in Cincinnati. Thus, she will likely be getting into the R16 match excessive on confidence now.
Shnaider vs. Fernandez: Head-to-head
What’s your perspective on:
Can Leylah Fernandez outshine Diana Shnaider, or will Shnaider pull off an upset at Cincinnati Open?
Have an fascinating take?
With only a yr’s age hole, Shnaider and Fernandez might doubtlessly be the highest stars of the long run. With a watch on that, the 2 would look to open their account on a constructive word in opposition to one another. Shnaider and Fernandez have but to play a match in opposition to one another, with the 2 nonetheless within the early levels of their careers.
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Regardless of the Cincinnati Open pre-quarterfinal match being their first match in opposition to this opposition, it guarantees to be an exhilarating encounter that may have some twists and turns.
Prediction: Shnaider to prevail in a thriller
Transitioning from one court docket to a different could be difficult, however not if you’re Diana Shnaider. After her Wimbledon marketing campaign, she went on to win the Hungarian Open, adopted by a semifinal look on the Canadian Open. Quite the opposite, Ferdendez has but to seek out her groove, regardless of some massive wins. Moreover, Shnaider is ranked twentieth on the WTA rankings chart, which is six spots beneath that of Fernandez.
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Shnaider is having a breakthrough 2024 season and has already gained 3 titles. Enjoying constantly on the Tour this yr, the Russian star gained 40 of the 55 matches performed. Then again, Fernandez has the power to defeat any participant on her day. Nonetheless, a regarding reality is that she has misplaced 16 and gained simply 19 of the matches in 2024.
Apparently, Shnaider doesn’t have a fantastic report on laborious courts. Throughout her profession, she has gained simply 2 out of the 5 matches performed earlier than the Cincinnati Open on laborious courts this yr. This will likely be of a giant concern to Shnaider however with type on her facet, the Russian star is predicted to win the match in three units in an in depth match. Followers can benefit from the match from the Grandstand which can happen later at present.