Roland Garros an aggressive and fit Leylah

Roland-Garros: an aggressive and fit Leylah

PARIS | Leylah Fernandez has shown excellent form since the start of this Roland Garros tournament. After a convincing victory in the first round, the little left-hander made short work of the Czech Katerina Siniakova, who is quite skilled on clay, on Wednesday.

• Also read: Roland-Garros: Bianca Andreescu with no answers

• Also read: Roland-Garros: Félix Auger-Aliassime continues on his way

• Also read: Roland-Garros: another match, another Félix

The Quebecer wouldn’t go so far as to say that she played her best match of the year against World 55, but she was delighted in this 6-3, 6-2 victory achieved in just 1 hour. having played aggressive tennis 11min.

“I’m very happy with my level of play,” said Leylah at a press conference. I know I can play a lot better with the serve percentage I have [68 % pour tout le match, et 77 % à la deuxième manche]. »

“I felt more comfortable than in the first game [face à la Française Kristina Mladenovic, 107e au monde], that was the goal, she added. I think I played well, especially in the crucial points in the first set. »

A first real test

After two games against lower-class opponents it will be difficult for the 17th favorite on Friday. Such is life in Grand Slam: In the third round, unless there are surprises, the seeds start to cross.

Leylah could have played against her compatriot Bianca Andreescu, 72nd in the world rankings, but the latter lost to Swiss Bianca Bencic, 14th favorite in Paris, on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old meets the latter in the third round. The two players were opponents once: in the qualifier for the Billie Jean King Cup two years ago, and to everyone’s surprise, young Leylah had won.

Fernandez didn’t yet know who she would face when she met the press.

But her compatriot Andreescu had some advice for her: “My personal plan was to stay aggressive from the start. If she can do that and fight to the end, I think she can win [contre Bencic]. »

And heads roll

Bencic will be a good test for Leylah but some seeds have already fallen around her. In fact, four of the world’s top 10 players have already packed their bags: Czech Barbora Krejcikova (2), Greek Maria Sakkari (4), Estonian Anna Kontaveit (5) and Tunisian Ons Jabeur (6).

Which opens up the table a bit around the Lavalloise… who says not to worry about that. Or at least try not to bother.

“During a tournament I want to focus on myself,” she said. I want to improve with every game and enjoy the time on the pitch.

“But,” she adds with a smile, it’s a bit difficult because the results are shown everywhere on TV. Out of the corner of my eye I’m watching but not trying to follow the games!