Leylah Fernandez Advances in Japan Open Despite Injury Concerns

OSAKA, Japan — Leylah Fernandez faced off against Hailey Baptiste in the Round of 32 at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. Despite battling a right thigh injury, Fernandez emerged victorious, winning the match 6-2, 7-5.

During the match, Fernandez sported a noticeable bandage on her leg but showed no signs of slowing down. According to tennis correspondent Stephanie Myles, it was unusual to see the 23-year-old Canadian with such visible support on her leg, yet it didn’t seem to affect her performance on the court.

“You don’t see Leylah Fernandez with body parts wrapped too much. But she’s got a left thigh wrap today in Osaka v Hailey Baptiste,” Myles tweeted, noting the unusual sight. Though the bandage raised concerns, Fernandez dominated the court, firing three aces and winning 74% of her first serve points.

Fernandez, currently ranked 27th in the WTA, came into the tournament as the fourth seed. She had just experienced a disappointing first-round elimination at the Wuhan Open, where she won her opening set against a tough opponent but ultimately fell in three sets. This latest win in Osaka marks her first advancement to the Round of 16 since early August at the Monterrey Open.

Prior to her match against Baptiste, Fernandez had endured a rollercoaster of recent performances, including a heart-wrenching loss to Coco Gauff at the China Open. In that match, she pushed Gauff to the brink in a nearly three-hour battle. Fans have been closely following her journey to reclaim her form and believing in her potential.

With this win, Fernandez turns her attention to the next round, raising the question of whether she can continue to channel her fighting spirit and find success at the Japan Open. Her performance so far demonstrates her resilience and determination despite her recent setbacks on the tour.