Fernandez wins Japan Open in Osaka

Leylah Fernandez defeated 18-year-old qualifier Tereza Valentova 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 to win the Japan Open in Osaka, securing her second WTA title of the year and the fifth of her career. The 23-year-old Canadian, ranked 27th, dominated the opening set despite heavy strapping on her right thigh, using aggressive baseline play and accurate serving to rout Valentova in under 30 minutes. Valentova, making her first WTA final after a strong run through qualifying, regrouped in the second set—raising her first-serve percentage, stepping into rallies and applying pressure to edge a 7-5 set and force a decider.

The third set saw fluctuating momentum before Fernandez secured a late, decisive break and held serve to close out a 2-hour, 11-minute match. The finish came when Valentova miscued a return into the net, handing Fernandez the victory. Fernandez credited her team and her father—who acts as her coach and hitting partner—during the trophy presentation, and praised Valentova’s week, saying she expected to see the young Czech in more finals.

The triumph marks the first time Fernandez has won two tournaments in a single season, adding to her Washington D.C. Open title in July, and provides a timely boost to her ranking and confidence ahead of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, where she is scheduled to face fellow Canadian Victoria Mboko in the opening round. For Valentova, who entered Osaka ranked 78th, the week represents a breakthrough: the run through qualifying and into the final will lift her to a career-best ranking and increase her profile on the WTA Tour.

Tactically, Fernandez combined an efficient winners-to-unforced-errors ratio in the opening and closing stages with strong break-point conversion in the final set; Valentova’s positives included a potent return game and willingness to shorten points, but inconsistent serving at key moments ultimately hindered her comeback. Observers noted the contrast between Fernandez’s experience and match management and Valentova’s fearless shotmaking and rapid development.

The tournament also saw top seed Naomi Osaka withdraw before the quarter-finals due to a leg injury. Overall, Fernandez’s Japan Open title reinforces her return to form this season and offers momentum for the run-in of the tour, while Valentova departs Osaka with valuable experience, a dramatic rise in ranking and greater attention from sponsors and tournament directors. Both players leave with tangible gains: Fernandez with silverware and renewed momentum, Valentova with a breakthrough performance likely to accelerate her progress.