Match Highlights:
The Canadian was last years runner-up. She and defending champion Emma Raducanu had a fantastic run at the 2021 event. This year, however, both have crashed out in the early rounds with Raducanu exiting in Round 1.
Back in 2021, Fernandez performed impressively. She took down big names such as Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and more. 2022 has not been that good for her. Like Raducanu, she had a string of early exits in the warmup tournaments.
As for Samsonova, this is the first time shes beaten a player in the Top 20 of the world rankings. She gave Fernandez a tough two sets that the 19-year-old struggled to overcome.
“It was the first time I played on such a big court here in the US Open, it was unbelievable,” Samsonova said post-match.
“Against Leylah, it was so tough today. I think my serve was amazing, so it was the key for me today.”
“I like the way I’m playing, the level that I’m playing now,” Samsonova said. “That’s what I’m trying to maintain.”
After the grass season, I started to work with a mental coach,” she said. “I think that was the part where I had more difficulty: to play maybe all the weeks on the same level.
“I think that I had the tennis level, I had the physical [level] already, but I didn’t have the mental level to do something, like, more, or more constantly. So I think I’m on the right way.”
The Italian won 81% of her first serves and never faced a break point on serve.
For the third round, Samsonova will be going up against Aleksandra Krunic who won against Barbora Krejcikova 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.