Shnaider dispatches Fernandez 6-3, 6-0 to reach Charleston Open quarters
In the Low Country, two southpaws took to the Althea Gibson Club Court at the Credit One Charleston Open. While neither is considered a dirt baller, these two young professionals were eager to master the Har-Tru as the clay court season commences.
On her twenty-second birthday, Diana Shnaider looked to advance to the final eight. She is currently ranked 19th but achieved a career high of #11 last May. The seventh seed from Russia defeated Leylah Fernandez the last two times they competed, most recently in straight sets this past January in Adelaide.
Fernandez from Canada, a year older, reached the 2021 US Open final. Shortly thereafter, she achieved a career-high rank of #13 but is currently ranked #23. While the head-to-head was tied at 2-2, this was their first meeting on clay.
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Shnaider won the toss and elected to serve. Although she gifted two double faults on her twenty-second birthday, she saved two break points and held with three fantastic forehands. Fernandez also struggled in her opening service game. She donated a double fault, faced six deuce and six break points yet held following three consecutive errors from her opponent.
Shnaider held easily to 15 for 2-1 while Fernandez held to 30 to level. The 7th seed made 3/5 first serves and held to 15 for 3-2. During the changeover, additional tape was placed on her right leg.
Fernandez continued to match her opponent’s pace and placement, but with slices and well-executed drop shots, extracted errors. The Canadian made 5/5 first serves and held easily to 15 for 3-3. Shnaider committed two backhand errors and faced deuce, but held for 4-3 with an incredible inside-in forehand.
Fernandez, serving with new balls, faced 0-40 but with two consecutive forehand winners reached deuce. She would face five more deuces and six break points before Shnaider converted with a blistering running forehand pass down the line! The Russian held easily to 15 to consolidate the break and seal the set.
Following the conclusion of the opening set, Shnaider was once again visited by the physio. Fernandez served first in the second and though she hit three outstanding winners, faced deuce twice and dumped serve.
Shnaider continued to apply pressure off the ground and with stellar defense. With every “come on,” she pumped herself up and pressed forward. With two additional winners, including her first ace, she consolidated the break for 2-0.
Fernandez committed three errors, including her second double fault and dumped serve with another unforced error. Shnaider continued to play aggressively but utilized her variety to confound her opponent. She missed 3/6 first serves, including another double fault, but held to 30 with another winning backhand.
Fernandez, at times, appeared flat-footed and dejected. She opened the fifth with another error, faced a break point, and dropped serve when Shnaider threw up a winning backhand lob.
The world #19 served for the match and a coveted spot in the final eight. She opened with a blistering backhand winner down the line and secured victory when Fernandez netted another backhand.
Shnaider was impressive on serve, winning 76% of first and 56% of second serve points. She was equally effective when returning, winning 47% of first and 61% of second serve return points. She saved both break points she faced while converting 4/15.
During her press conference, I asked her if it was a tactical decision to up her level of aggression after failing to convert a break point in Fernandez’s opening service game and if the pain in her leg also played a role. She replied, “ Not really. That was a lot of thinking overall. But to be honest, yeah, I felt a little pain… For sure, like six break points in the opening game, and definitely a little bit of frustration just because you cannot convert it. But she did play good on the important shots… (Yeah), she can play maybe five times, six times good, but at some point if I would just continue keep pressuring her, like I can do it. So yeah, I just tried to stick to my game and play aggressive.”
Awaiting in the quarters is the defending champion, Jessica Pegula. The Buffalo native and #1 seed has struggled in her first two matches, needing three sets and 5 ½ hours to progress. While Pegula leads the head-to-head 2-0 (both on outdoor hard), they have not played since the 2024 US Open.
This WTA 500 tournament, the largest women ’s-only professional event in North America, has committed a record $2.5 million in prize money, which includes $200,000 for player benefits programs. The prize money is distributed across the entire draw from qualifying to the championship match. The Credit One Charleston Open is proud to embrace a model that supports players at every level on and beyond the court.