Leylah Fernandez advances to US Open third round

NEW YORK — Filipino-Canadian Leylah Fernandez defeated France’s Elsa Jacquemot 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the US Open 2025 Wednesday night, advancing to a high-profile third-round clash against world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Fernandez, seeded 31st and a finalist in New York in 2021, struggled early under the lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium, winning just 42 percent of her first-serve points in the opening set.

READ: Venus Williams teams up with Leylah Fernandez in US Open doubles

But the 22-year-old from Laval, Quebec, steadied herself as the match wore on, finding her range and feeding off an encouraging crowd. She held serve the rest of the way and broke Jacquemot three times, closing out the victory in just over two hours.

Despite the chilly 21-degree Celsius (69-degree Fahrenheit) evening, Fernandez appeared locked in and determined, wiping away sweat and shouting in celebration after key points. She finished with 41 winners to Jacquemot’s 24, turning an anxious start into a commanding finish.

“It was a tough first set, but I stayed focused and just trusted my game,” Fernandez said in her on-court interview. “The support from the fans kept me going tonight.”

READ: Leylah Fernandez praises Alex Eala for inspiring Filipino youth

For supporters of Filipino descent in the stands, Fernandez’s win carried added meaning.

Liza Aguilar, a personal assistant from Woodside, Queens, paid $700 for tickets to see her favorite player. A fan since 2021, she told Inquirer.net USA she was initially nervous after Fernandez dropped the first set.

“But Leylah looked so calm compared to Elsa, who kept arguing with her coach,” Aguilar said. “I love how Leylah just focused on her tennis instead of emotions.”

Leylah Fernandez won her second-round match against Elsa Jacquemot with a final score of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. Fernandez hit 41 winners and won 63% of her first serve points. She advances to the next round with strong momentum from this win. | @elton_lugay pic.twitter.com/cEjjodlKyY

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 28, 2025

Another Filipino American fan, Glezie Legaspi, echoed those sentiments, noting Fernandez’s Filipino heritage through her mother.

“She deserves all the support from Filipino Americans, even if she plays for Canada,” Legaspi said. “It’s rare that a player with Filipino roots shines on a Grand Slam stage.”

Fernandez now faces Sabalenka on Friday in a rematch of their classic 2021 semifinal, where Fernandez emerged victorious to reach the final.

She is also set to compete in doubles alongside Venus Williams, who continues her comeback tour.

With momentum on her side, Fernandez said she is ready.

“I know the next match will be tough. But I’m excited,” she said.