Fernandez falls in semifinals of doubles in Wuhan – Tennis Canada

Leylah Annie Fernandez saw her tournament at the Wuhan Open come to an end Saturday, as she and partner Aldila Sutjiadi fell to Jessica Pegula and Asia Muhammad 7-5, 6-2 in doubles.

The American tandem won 79 per-cent of their first serve points and converted three of five break point chances in the one hour and 19-minute victory.

Fernandez, who reached the round of 16 in singles before falling to Qinwen Zheng of China in three sets, was partnering with Sutjiadi of Indonesia for the second consecutive week.

The pair, who upset the second seeds Ellen Perez and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the quarter-finals, opened on even terms with the American squad in the first set.

Both teams traded 10 consecutive holds to reach the business end of the set, and Fernandez and Sutjiadi were then unable to convert on three break point chances, as Muhammad held serve for a 6-5 advantage.

With Sutjiadi serving, the Americans secured the only break of the set, seizing the opener 7-5 in 46 minutes.

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With confidence and momentum behind them, Pegula and Muhammad further imposed themselves in the second set. The team broke serve in the fourth game, and Pegula, this year’s National Bank Open champion in Toronto and a US Open finalist, held serve at love to build a 4-1 lead.

With Sutjiadi serving down 2-5, she and Fernandez were unable to resist further pressure from the Americans. Muhammad closed on top of the net with an unreturned volley to seal the straight sets victory and a spot in the finals.

It was Fernandez’s sixth career semifinals appearance in doubles at a WTA1000. She also finished runner-up at the Cincinnati Open alongside Yulia Putintseva earlier this summer.