Fernandez’s doubles run ends in Madrid semis

Leylah Annie Fernandez was the last Canadian eliminated from the Madrid Open late on Friday as she and companion Taylor Townsend misplaced a decent semi-final conflict to Beatriz Haddad Maia and Victoria Azarenka in three units.

In a match the place each participant struggled to hold onto their serve, the Canadian-American duo had loads of possibilities to take management of the match, taking huge leads in each units. However when the strain was on within the tremendous tiebreak, it was Azarenka and Haddad Maia who held their nerve to advance to the ultimate with a 6-4, 0-6, [10-6] victory.

Service breaks got here fast and infrequently within the match as there have been extra breaks of serve than holds. Fernandez and Townsend transformed six of their 12 break level alternatives whereas saving 5 of 9 towards their very own serve. Each groups received lower than 50 per cent of their service factors.

Total, there have been solely three service video games within the match and not using a break level.

The North American squad received off to a fast begin, breaking twice on their method to a 3-0 lead. However Azarenka and Haddad Maia responded with three straight video games of their very own to stage.

Learn additionally: Doubles a Saving Grace for Canadians in Madrid

After an alternate of breaks for 4-4, a essential maintain of serve arrange Azarenka and Haddad Maia to assert the set as they broke once more within the 10^th sport.

As soon as once more, Fernandez and Townsend broke to start out the second set however this time they didn’t let their foot off the gasoline, racing by means of the second set with three breaks and saving the one two break factors they confronted to dish out a bagel and pressure a brilliant tiebreak.

Learn additionally: Fernandez Stunned by 15-year-old Andreeva in Madrid

Like the primary two units, the tiebreak noticed the servers wrestle. Seven of the primary 9 factors went to the returner, with solely Azarenka capable of win factors on her personal supply. She and Haddad Maia received six factors in a row for a 6-1 lead and regardless of the North American staff getting as shut as two factors at 4-6 and 6-8, they by no means managed to reel their opponents again in.

In the long run, Fernandez and Townsend truly received 4 extra complete factors.

One other WTA 1000 is subsequent on the schedule for Fernandez beginning subsequent week in Rome.