Leylah

TORONTO — Leylah Fernandez was knocked out of the National Bank Open on Thursday afternoon in the tournament’s second round. 

The 21-year-old from Montreal lost in straight sets to American Ashlyn Kreuger, who earned a 6-4, 6-2 win at Sobeys Stadium.

Fernandez was the final Canadian standing in the singles draw of the National Bank Open after Marina Stakusic lost earlier Thursday.  

The loss is an upset for Fernandez, the tournament’s 15^th seed who’s ranked 25^th in the world, while Kreuger is No. 82.

Fernandez was broken mid-way through the first set and had a chance to get back on serve to tie the match at five games apiece, but let Kreuger claw her way back after being down 0-40, and the American took the game and the opening set.

Fernandez was broken for the second time in the match in her first game of the second set and wasn’t able to mount a comeback. 

The 2021 US Open finalist, Fernandez made it to the third round of the NBO last year in Montreal.