Leylah Fernandez captured the Japan Open crown in Osaka after a rollercoaster final against 18-year-old rising star Tereza Valentova, prevailing 6–0, 5–7, 6–3 in two hours and fifteen minutes. For the Czech teenager, it was her first-ever WTA final — but in the end, experience outlasted youthful fire.
A Flying Start for Fernandez
The Canadian burst out of the blocks, racing through the opening six games to claim the first set 6–0.
From the start, Fernandez’s serve was untouchable. She landed 74% of first serves, winning nearly two-thirds of those points, and a flawless 100% behind her second serve. Her dominance on serve translated into a perfect 3-for-3 in service games — without facing a single break point.
On the return, the 2021 US Open finalist was equally ruthless, converting 75% of her break-point chances and winning an impressive 68% of total return points. Valentova never managed to find rhythm, winning only 29% of total points and none of her three service games.
The Czech teenager, shell-shocked, had to regroup.
Valentova vs Fernandez – Set One Stats
| Statistic | Valentova | Fernandez |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.39 | 2.59 |
| Serve Rating | 124 | 339 |
| Aces | 0 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 64% (14/22) | 74% (14/19) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 36% (5/14) | 64% (9/14) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 25% (2/8) | 100% (5/5) |
| Break Points Saved | 25% (1/4) | 100% (3/3) |
| Service Games | 0% (0/3) | 100% (3/3) |
| Ace % | 0% | 5.3% |
| Double Fault % | 4.5% | 0% |
| Return Rating | 36 | 314 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 36% (5/14) | 64% (9/14) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 0% (0/5) | 75% (6/8) |
| Break Points Won | 0% (0/3) | 75% (3/4) |
| Return Games | 0% (0/3) | 100% (3/3) |
| Pressure Points | 14% (1/7) | 86% (6/7) |
| Service Points | 32% (7/22) | 74% (14/19) |
| Return Points | 26% (5/19) | 68% (15/22) |
| Total Points | 29% (12/41) | 71% (29/41) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 3 | 8 |
| Max Games In A Row | 0 | 6 |
| Injury Timeouts | 0 | 0 |
| Total Games | 0% (0/6) | 100% (6/6) |
| Set 1 Duration | 0:30 | |
Valentova claws past Fernandez in Set 2 with a composed close
Tereza Valentova edged a momentum-swinging second set, 7–5, by winning every key return game down the stretch.
After early trade-offs—each player scoring a break to love (2–1, 2–2)—Leylah Fernandez steadied with clean holds (to 40–15, to love), but Valentova matched her with a love hold and a 40–15 hold to stay level at 4–4.
The set flipped in the final third: Valentova broke at 30–40 for 5–4, only for Fernandez to strike back immediately, converting her lone breakpoint at 30–40 for 5–5. But the Czech teen surged again, breaking at 15–40 for 6–5 and serving it out, converting her second set point at 40–15.
Notably, no break points were saved on serve—every opportunity resulted in a break—underlining how decisive the return pressure was.
The Czech teen had done it. She was back in it.
Valentova vs Fernandez – Set Two Stats
| Statistic | Valentova | Fernandez |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 1.21 | 0.83 |
| Serve Rating | 252 | 201 |
| Aces | 0 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 0 | 0 |
| 1st Serve % | 63% (19/30) | 69% (20/29) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 58% (11/19) | 70% (14/20) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 64% (7/11) | 11% (1/9) |
| Break Points Saved | 0% (0/2) | 0% (0/3) |
| Service Games | 67% (4/6) | 50% (3/6) |
| Ace % | 0% | 3.4% |
| Double Fault % | 0% | 0% |
| Return Rating | 269 | 211 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 30% (6/20) | 42% (8/19) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 89% (8/9) | 36% (4/11) |
| Break Points Won | 100% (3/3) | 100% (2/2) |
| Return Games | 50% (3/6) | 33% (2/6) |
| Pressure Points | 60% (3/5) | 40% (2/5) |
| Service Points | 60% (18/30) | 52% (15/29) |
| Return Points | 48% (14/29) | 40% (12/30) |
| Total Points | 54% (32/59) | 46% (27/59) |
| Match Points Saved | 0 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 7 | 5 |
| Max Games In A Row | 2 | 2 |
| Injury Timeouts | 0 | 0 |
| Total Games | 58% (7/12) | 42% (5/12) |
| Set 2 Duration | 0h51m | |
Leylah Fernandez Finishes Firm
Fernandez began the decider with confidence, holding serve twice without strain—including a smooth game to love for 2–1—and then broke Tereza Valentova at the first real opening to move ahead 3–1. Valentova answered with trademark grit, saving three break points in an earlier service game and three more when serving at 2–4 to stay within reach.
But Fernandez kept her composure through the middle of the set, surviving a long service game full of deuces at 4–1 and reclaiming control with another well-timed break for 5–3. Serving for the set, she stayed aggressive and converted her second match point with authority to close it 6–3.
Across the set, Fernandez faced only a handful of break chances and handled nearly all of them, while Valentova worked hard under pressure but couldn’t fend off two decisive breaks late. The difference came in Fernandez’s sharper returning and her poise in tight moments—both on the key service hold at 4–1 and in the confident finish at 6–3.
Valentova vs Fernandez – Set Three Stats
| Statistic | Valentova | Fernandez |
|---|---|---|
| Dominance Ratio | 0.75 | 1.33 |
| Serve Rating | 199 | 264 |
| Aces | 0 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 3 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 58% (18/31) | 68% (21/31) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 56% (10/18) | 67% (14/21) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 38% (5/13) | 50% (5/10) |
| Break Points Saved | 80% (8/10) | 67% (2/3) |
| Service Games | 50% (2/4) | 80% (4/5) |
| Ace % | 0% | 3.2% |
| Double Fault % | 9.7% | 6.5% |
| Return Rating | 136 | 176 |
| 1st Return Points Won | 33% (7/21) | 44% (8/18) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 50% (5/10) | 62% (8/13) |
| Break Points Won | 33% (1/3) | 20% (2/10) |
| Return Games | 20% (1/5) | 50% (2/4) |
| Pressure Points | 69% (9/13) | 31% (4/13) |
| Service Points | 48% (15/31) | 61% (19/31) |
| Return Points | 39% (12/31) | 52% (16/31) |
| Total Points | 44% (27/62) | 56% (35/62) |
| Match Points Saved | 1 | 0 |
| Max Points In A Row | 5 | 6 |
| Max Games In A Row | 2 | 3 |
| Injury Timeouts | 0 | 0 |
| Total Games | 33% (3/9) | 67% (6/9) |
| Set 3 Duration | 0:54 | |
Fernandez Back Into the Top 25
This victory lifts Fernandez five places to world No. 22, reclaiming her position as Canada’s top-ranked player ahead of compatriot Victoria Mboko, whose form has cooled since her triumph at the Canadian Open.
Emotional Words From the Champion
In her post-match speech, Leylah Fernandez paid warm tribute to her young opponent:
“Congratulations, Tereza. You played fantastically, and I’m sure we’ll see you in many more finals.”
She went on to thank her team, family, and supporters:
“Without your support, I wouldn’t be here. Thank you for the love, the motivation, and the sacrifices you’ve made.”
Valentova’s Breakout Week
Despite falling short in the final, Valentova’s week in Osaka was nothing short of revelatory:
- Qualified for the main draw
- Won six matches in seven days
- Defeated three Top-55 opponents, including Elise Mertens and Alexandra Eala
- Poised to crack the Top 60 for the first time on Monday, up from her previous career high of No. 75.
A remarkable coming-of-age performance — and almost certainly not the last time she’ll feature on a big stage.