Customize Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Bogdan defeats Fernandez in opening match of Italian Open

Bogdan ousts Fernandez in first round of Italian Open


Ana Bogdan relied on her consistency and tenacity to overcome Canadian Leylah Annie Fernandez 6-4, 6-1 in one hour, 43 minutes to advance to the second round of the Italian Open.

While Fernandez was the favourite heading to the match, the world No. 34 struggled frequently with her timing at the Internazionali BNL D’Italia,

It was Bogdan of Romania who imposed her tennis in the early stages, seizing a quick break of serve to establish an early 2-0 first-set lead.

Fernandez initially responded, though at 2-2, the 21-year-old coughed up a 40-0 advantage to the Romanian, surrendering a second break of serve as she struggled to absorb her pace.

The veteran 31-year-old remained the steadier of the two players, frequently counter-punching and resisting the aggressive play of the Canadian, as she built a 5-3 lead.

While Fernandez saved a set point to hold serve for 4-5, Bogdan kept her at bay to close out the opening set 6-4 in 58 minutes as the Canadian misfired on a backhand wide.

This trend continued into the second set – the Quebec native struggled with her timing while Bogdan pushed rallies with her strong court coverage.

Though Fernandez secured an opening service hold, Bogdan would quickly again take hold of the score, breaking for a 2-1 lead.

The Romanian further built on the scoreboard advantage, winning a lengthy side-to-side exchange to forge ahead 4-1.

On her first match point, Bogdan sealed the victory with a clean backhand crosscourt winner to complete the upset.

It was the first-career meeting between the players. The Romanian capitalized on the Canadian’s second serve, winning 12 of a possible 18 points. She was also opportunistic by converting on five of eight break point chances.

With the loss, Fernandez drops to 8-10 on her 2024 campaign, and just 1-3 on clay.

The 21-year-old was the lone Canadian player in the women’s field. Both Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov are set compete in the men’s draw later this week.