Leylah Fernandez has delivered a stunning conclusion to the 2026 WTA season, showcasing some of the most dominant tennis of her career. The Canadian star captured the Singapore Tennis Open title immediately following the US Open, demonstrating exceptional form and consistency. She sustained this momentum by advancing to the finals in both Ningbo and Tokyo, cementing her status as one of the tour’s most reliable contenders during the autumn swing.
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Fernandez’s recent surge has propelled her to 18th in the WTA rankings, placing her just five spots away from her career-high position. This upward trajectory underscores a significant shift in her performance stability and match intensity. Former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters has closely monitored this evolution, offering a detailed assessment of the 24-year-old’s current trajectory during the latest episode of the ‘Love All’ podcast.
Clijsters highlighted a fundamental transformation in Fernandez’s approach, specifically citing her intensified competitive mindset. “The first thing that stands out to me is her competitive mindset,” Clijsters stated. “What I admire a lot about her is how feisty she is and how she will compete for every shot. That is one of the reasons why she has been able to be competing, a few years ago, for a Grand Slam title.” This enduring grit, combined with her recent success against top-10 opponents, suggests Fernandez is poised to challenge for higher rankings and major titles in the upcoming season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
