In a display of relentless precision and fiery determination, Leylah Fernandez cemented her status as one of tennis’ brightest stars by dominating Anna Kalinskaya 6-1, 6-2 to claim the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open title on July 27, 2025. The 22-year-old Canadian, competing at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C., delivered a masterclass in just 70 minutes, securing her fourth WTA singles title and her first at the WTA 500 level. The victory, witnessed by an electrified crowd under the sweltering D.C. sun, marked a triumphant milestone for the 2021 US Open finalist, propelling her back into the WTA top 25 and setting the stage for a confident run at the upcoming National Bank Open in her home country of Canada.
Fernandez’s journey to the DC Open crown was a testament to her resilience and tactical brilliance. Facing the 26-year-old Kalinskaya, ranked World No. 48, in the final, Fernandez seized control early, breaking serve in the opening games to lead 3-1 in the first set. Her aggressive baseline play, punctuated by a wicked drop shot that sealed the opener in just 30 minutes, left Kalinskaya struggling to respond. The second set saw Fernandez maintain her dominance, converting four of six break points while holding her own serve with ease, boasting a 66% success rate on second-serve points. “I want to congratulate Anna and your team. You guys have done a tremendous job all year long. You’re a tough opponent to play against,” Fernandez said post-match, her graciousness reflecting the sportsmanship that has endeared her to fans worldwide.
The path to the final was no cakewalk. Fernandez’s semifinal against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina was a grueling three-hour, 12-minute epic, one of the longest matches of her career. Down 1-3 in the second set and staring down a match point, Fernandez rallied with 12 aces and a clutch 7-6(2), 7-6(3), 7-6(3) victory. “It was definitely a tough match. It was a battle from beginning to end,” she reflected, emphasizing her ability to thrive under pressure. “In important moments, I was able to pull through.” Earlier in the tournament, she dispatched top seed Jessica Pegula in a thrilling three-setter and outlasted former doubles partner Taylor Townsend, showcasing her mental fortitude. “I wasn’t telling myself much in that moment. Listen to my coach and execute. Don’t overthink too much,” she said, crediting her father and coach, Jorge Fernandez, whose mantra of “Hard work, fight” was scribbled on her water bottle and fueled her run.
Kalinskaya, seeking her first WTA title after runner-up finishes in Dubai and Berlin in 2024, entered the final with momentum from a 6-4, 6-3 semifinal upset over 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu. “She’s a very fast player, so it’s going to be very intense rallies,” Kalinskaya had predicted of Fernandez, anticipating the challenge. Despite her strong Washington record—9-2 in main-draw matches—and 14 backhand winners against Raducanu, Kalinskaya faltered, managing just 17% of points on her second serve. “I just hope I’m going to play great and I want to enjoy it,” she had said before the final, but Fernandez’s relentless pace offered little chance for enjoyment.
Fernandez’s victory marked her as the first Canadian woman to win the DC Open, a historic achievement that boosted her ranking from No. 36 to the top 25. Her hard-court dominance, where all four of her WTA titles have been won, was evident with 94 aces in 2025 and a 61% win rate on pressure points. This triumph, her seventh career WTA final, ended a title drought since the 2023 Hong Kong Open and highlighted her 20-17 season record. The emotional embrace with her father post-match underscored the family support driving her success, with fans on social media calling her performance “a masterclass in focus.”
Kalinskaya’s run, though ending in defeat, showcased her potential with wins over Clara Tauson and Magda Linette, reinforcing her 53% hard-court win rate in 2025. Her 0-3 record in tour-level finals remains a hurdle as she looks to regroup in Montreal. For Fernandez, the DC Open title is a springboard for the US Open Series. With 10 wins in her last 11 matches, including a Rotterdam doubles title and an Eastbourne final, she’s peaking at the right time. “I’m just trying to get better every single day,” she said, a mindset that promises more fireworks as she heads to Montreal to compete on home soil.
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