Ann Li Advances Past Leylah Fernandez in Madrid Open Thriller

MADRID, Spain — Ann Li defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in a hard-fought match at the Madrid Open on Thursday. The victory moved Li, ranked No. 62, into the third round of the tournament held at the Caja Mágica.

Li faced Fernandez, the No. 25 seed, in a competitive second-round match that showcased both players’ skills. After winning the first set, Li dropped the second but rallied in the final set to secure her spot in the next round.

In her previous match, Li won against Belarusian qualifier Aliaksandra Sasnovich with a score of 6-3, 6-2. She expressed confidence coming into the match against Fernandez, saying, “I felt good on the court today and worked hard for this win.”

Next, Li will play the winner of the upcoming match between Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska and American Coco Gauff, the No. 4 seed. Gauff, a young and talented player, is expected to provide a tough challenge in the next round.

The Madrid Open, part of the WTA 1000 series, has a prize pool of EUR 7,854,000 and is played on clay courts, which have their own strategy and playing style. The tournament continues to draw top players from around the world.