Story perspectives

Leylah Fernandez reaches Pan Pacific Open final after walkover

By Drooid · Oct 31, 2026 · How we work

Read the story

Story summary

Summary

Leylah Fernandez reached the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo after defeating Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3.
Fernandez then beat fifth-seed Elise Mertens 6-2, 7-6(8) in the second round.
World No. 1 Elena Rybakina withdrew with a neck injury, giving Fernandez a semifinal walkover.
Her ranking rose seven spots to world No. 23 after recent Singapore Open title and Ningbo runner-up.

History

At Wimbledon 2014, Eugenie Bouchard became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam singles final, losing to Petra Kvitová and later rising to a career-high No. 5, the highest ever for a Canadian woman. Her breakthrough followed a 2012 junior Wimbledon title and a WTA Most Improved Player award, marking the start of a surge in Canadian tennis.

1 of 2

At Wimbledon 2014, Eugenie Bouchard became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam singles final, losing to Petra Kvitová and later rising to a career-high No. 5, the highest ever for a Canadian woman. Her breakthrough followed a 2012 junior Wimbledon title and a WTA Most Improved Player award, marking the start of a surge in Canadian tennis.

1 / 2