Just crowned in Washington, Fernandez loses in opener to Joint in Montreal

Leylah Fernandez just experienced one of the best weeks of her career in Washington. The 22-year-old Canadian clinched the title in the U.S. capital, defeating Joint, Pegula, Townsend, Rybakina, and Kalinskaya in the final.

The world No. 24 then moved on to the WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal, her home event, where she entered the draw in the first round. She faced Maya Joint again—the same left-handed opponent she had beaten in straight sets (6-3, 6-3) in Washington just last week.

But the quick turnaround proved too much for Fernandez to handle. Just hours after arriving in Montreal, she fell in straight sets (6-4, 6-1) and saw her Quebec campaign end early.

Meanwhile, the Australian, ranked 45th in the world and a two-time WTA title winner this year in Rabat and Eastbourne, advanced to the second round. At just 19 years old, Joint—who recently broke into the top 40 for the first time—will now compete for a spot in the round of 16 against McCartney Kessler.

The winner of that match will face Mirra Andreeva, who received a walkover after Bianca Andreescu withdrew and has yet to play a single match in this Montreal tournament.