Ottawa tennis fans keeping tabs on the Miami Open had a mixed Sunday to digest, as Canada's Victoria Mboko secured a doubles win while Leylah Fernandez's singles tournament came to a close.
Mboko and Andreeva Cruise Into the Round of 16
Victoria Mboko, representing Canada, teamed up with Russia's Mirra Andreeva to take down the Australian-Dutch pairing of Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs 7-6 (7), 6-3 in the Round of 32 of the women's doubles draw at the Miami Open on Sunday.
The first set was tightly contested, going to a tiebreak before Mboko and Andreeva edged it out 7-6. They then turned up the intensity in the second, taking it more comfortably 6-3 to seal the victory and advance to the next round.
Schuurs is an experienced doubles player and Perez no slouch on the doubles court either, making this a notable scalp for the Mboko-Andreeva partnership. The win keeps Canada's presence alive in the Miami Open women's doubles bracket.
Fernandez Exits the Singles Draw
The news wasn't as bright on the singles front. Leylah Fernandez, one of Canada's top-ranked women's singles players and a fan favourite at grand slams and WTA events alike, was eliminated from the singles competition at the Miami Open on Sunday.
Fernandez has been a consistent presence on the WTA tour and is well-loved across Canada, her run to the 2021 US Open final earned her a massive following from coast to coast, including right here in Ottawa. Her early exit will be a disappointment for Canadian fans who were hoping to see her make a deep run at one of the biggest events outside of the four majors.
Ottawa's Tennis Community Is Watching
Ottawa has a lively tennis scene, and the city's club players, coaches, and fans closely follow Canadian stars on the WTA and ATP tours. The Rogers Cup, Canada's marquee professional tennis tournament, which rotates between Montreal and Toronto, regularly draws Ottawa-area fans who make the trip to catch world-class play. When Canadian players are performing on the international stage, the interest in local clubs and recreational leagues often spikes.
With Mboko still alive in the doubles draw, there's still Canadian flag to wave at the Miami Open as the tournament heads into its business end.
What's Next
Mboko and Andreeva will look to carry their momentum into the Round of 16, where they'll face another top doubles pairing. Keep an eye on CBC Sports and the WTA's official channels for updated draws and match schedules as the Miami Open continues through the week.
For Ottawa tennis enthusiasts, this is a good stretch of international play to follow before the outdoor season kicks off closer to home.
Source: CBC Sports
