MONTREAL — Leylah Fernandez criticized the schedule on the Nationwide Financial institution Open after the Canadian misplaced within the first spherical of her dwelling match Tuesday, two days after successful the title in Washington.
She was routed 6-4, 6-1 by Australian Maya Joint in only one hour, quarter-hour. Fernandez, the No. 24-ranked participant, received her fourth profession WTA title Sunday in Washington and hoped for extra relaxation earlier than returning to the court docket in Montreal.
Fernandez mentioned she obtained “plenty of guarantees” that she would play throughout Tuesday’s night time session, giving her extra time to recuperate between the 2 tournaments, however realized Sunday whereas touring that that would not be the case.
“I didn’t obtain that,” she mentioned. “That damage me as a result of I used to be very trying ahead to be enjoying at night time, however I suppose it is a bit bit political points at that time.”
As a substitute, top-seeded Coco Gauff performed fellow American Danielle Collins to open the night time session.
Valerie Tetreault, the Nationwide Financial institution Open match director in Montreal, responded that she promised Fernandez she would “combat in order that she may have the time she needed.”
“However I did not win my combat,” Tetreault mentioned, noting that the WTA Tour determines scheduling. “I obtained the request for her to play within the night. It is my position to have conversations with the WTA, so I pushed as a lot as potential for her to have what she needed.”
Tetreault added that exceptions had already been made for Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up. The 22-year-old and Joint have been among the many last three first-round matches held till Tuesday, regardless of Fernandez’s half of the bracket beginning play Sunday.
“WTA protocols imply first-round matches have to be accomplished earlier than second-round matches are performed, guaranteeing equity to all gamers,” Tennis Canada mentioned in a press release. “Given Leylah received the title in Washington on Sunday, she was not capable of arrive in Montreal till the early hours of Monday morning. In consequence, the WTA made the choice to play her opening match within the newest potential first-round slot.”
Mirra Andreeva, the No. 4 seed, superior to the third spherical when 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu withdrew after sustaining an ankle harm throughout her first-round victory. No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini was upset by Japan’s Aoi Ito in a third-set tiebreaker, whereas No. 8 Emma Navarro rolled previous Rebecca Marino 6-1, 6-2.
