Leylah Fernandez Wins 5th WTA Title at 2025 Japan Women’s Open, Rises to No. 22

Leylah Fernandez Claims Fifth WTA Title at 2025 Japan Women’s Open, Climbs to No. 22 in Rankings

Filipino Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez celebrated a significant milestone by winning her fifth career WTA title at the 2025 Japan Women’s Open. This victory propelled her up five spots to No. 22 in the PIF WTA Live Rankings and allowed her to reclaim the Canadian No. 1 position from Victoria Mboko. Fernandez showed great sportsmanship by congratulating her young opponent, 17-year-old Tereza Valentová, who made her first WTA final appearance. Following the triumph in Osaka, Fernandez is set to compete at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, aiming to maintain her upward momentum.

• Leylah Fernandez won the Japan Women’s Open final against qualifier Tereza Valentová in three sets: 6-0, 5-7, 6-3.
• The victory marked Fernandez’s second title of the season and her fifth WTA career title overall.
• Fernandez climbed five places to No. 22 in the WTA rankings and reclaimed the Canadian No. 1 spot from Victoria Mboko.
• Aryna Sabalenka continues her reign at No. 1 for the 52nd consecutive week despite point deductions for missing WTA 500 events.
• Fernandez launched her Tokyo campaign with a challenging win over former top-10 player Maria Sakkari, overcoming a slow start and serving challenges.

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Fernandez’s Impressive Japan Women’s Open Victory

Leylah Fernandez’s triumph in Osaka was a defining moment in her 2025 season. In the final, she faced 18-year-old Czech qualifier Tereza Valentová, who was contesting her first WTA final. Fernandez dominated the opening set with a 6-0 score in just 29 minutes, demonstrating her excellent form. Valentová responded in the second set with greater composure, levelled the match 5-7 by breaking Fernandez in a tense 12th game, but Fernandez secured the decisive third set 6-3 by executing a critical break early on and withstanding Valentová’s late rally.

This victory marked Fernandez’s second title of 2025 after her win at the Washington, D.C. Open in July and underscored her ability to recover from setbacks, as she had exited in the second round of the Wuhan Open only weeks before.

Acknowledging Support and Sportsmanship

In her winner’s speech, Fernandez warmly congratulated Valentová, praising her performance and expressing hope to encounter her in many future finals. Fernandez dedicated the title to her team and family, highlighting their consistent support through challenges. Her father, who also serves as her coach, and hitting partner Federico were specially thanked for their shared perseverance during a demanding year.

Fernandez made a point of acknowledging the energy and encouragement from the Osaka fans, crediting their enthusiastic support as a source of motivation throughout the tournament. On social media, she celebrated the milestone with heartfelt gratitude towards her team, the fans, and the tournament environment, which she described as “so special.”

Rankings and Season Context

Following her win, Fernandez jumped from No. 27 to No. 22 in the PIF WTA Live Rankings, reclaiming the position as the top Canadian female player ahead of Victoria Mboko, who is now No. 23. Meanwhile, 17-year-old Valentová rose an impressive 21 places to a career-high No. 57 as a result of her maiden final appearance.

Despite Fernandez’s rise, the WTA rankings continued to be dominated by Aryna Sabalenka. The Belarusian completed her 52nd consecutive week at No. 1 and marked a total of 60 weeks atop the rankings, moving closer to surpassing Simona Halep’s 64 weeks. Sabalenka, along with other top players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, and Madison Keys, lost ranking points due to not meeting tournament participation requirements but remained securely positioned at the top.

Within the top 10, Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina stood out for their upward movements, each climbing two places after strong performances. Rybakina, who secured the title at the Ningbo Open, continues her late-season push for WTA Finals qualification.

Fernandez’s Start at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo

Following her Japan Open success, Fernandez headed to Tokyo for the Toray Pan Pacific Open, a WTA 500 event scheduled from October 20 to 26. Despite a challenging draw and multiple withdrawals including that of top seed Jasmine Paolini, Fernandez showed strong determination in her opening match against former top-10 player Maria Sakkari.

Overcoming Challenges in First Round

Fernandez’s match against Sakkari saw her quickly fall behind 5-2 in the first set. However, she staged a remarkable comeback by winning four straight games to force a tiebreak. She came back from a 4-0 deficit in the tiebreak, winning seven of the next eight points to claim the opening set. Though she trailed again by a break in the second set, Fernandez maintained composure and eventually prevailed 7-6(5), 6-4.

Her serving statistics revealed some struggles, including being broken eight times during the match, but Fernandez matched her opponent break-for-break to stay competitive. Key to her victory was resilience and strategic use of her forehand, which despite early unforced errors, delivered important winners at critical moments.

Fernandez’s Continued Momentum and Outlook

This victory over Sakkari extended Fernandez's winning streak to six matches, marking her longest run of the season since October 2023. It also represented her fifth consecutive win against qualifiers, highlighting her ability to handle rising talent and maintain consistency.

Looking ahead, Fernandez’s upcoming matches—especially against Elena Rybakina, who is fighting for a WTA Finals spot—offer both challenges and opportunities. Maintaining her momentum into the closing stages of the season is vital as Fernandez aims to build on this year’s success and prepare for a promising 2026.

Summary of WTA Rankings Top 20 (Selected)

| Rank | Player | Country | Points | Notes | |-------|----------------------|-----------------|---------|------------------------| | 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | Belarus | 10,390 | 52 weeks at No. 1 | | 2 | Iga Swiatek | Poland | 8,703 | | | 3 | Coco Gauff | United States | 7,863 | | | 6 | Jasmine Paolini | Italy | 4,525 | +2 | | 7 | Elena Rybakina | Kazakhstan | 4,505 | +2 | | 8 | Madison Keys | United States | 4,395 | -1 | | 9 | Mirra Andreeva | -- | 4,643 | -3 | | 22 | Leylah Fernandez | Canada/Philippine| -- | +5 after Osaka win |

Conclusion

Leylah Fernandez’s triumph at the 2025 Japan Women’s Open marks a significant high point in her career, reflecting her growing maturity and competitive tenacity. Her rise in the rankings and reclaiming the mantle of Canada’s No. 1 player underscore her status as one of the WTA Tour’s emerging stars. As she proceeds to Tokyo and beyond, Fernandez demonstrates both the skill and resilience necessary to compete at the highest levels, promising an exciting future for the Filipino Canadian ace in women’s tennis.

Questions and answers

Q: Leylah Fernandez Japan Women’s Open win 2025

A: As of 2025, Leylah Fernandez achieved a significant milestone by winning the Japan Women's Open. This victory marked an important addition to her career titles, showcasing her growing prominence on the WTA Tour. Her performance in Japan highlighted her consistency and skill on hard courts.

Q: 2025 WTA rankings updates

A: The 2025 WTA rankings have seen dynamic shifts with emerging talents and established players competing fiercely throughout the season. Leading the rankings are top contenders who have consistently performed well in Grand Slams and WTA Tour events. The updates reflect players' recent performances, with some newcomers breaking into the top tiers while veterans defend their positions.

Q: Leylah Fernandez tennis titles

A: Leylah Fernandez has secured several notable tennis titles throughout her career, including WTA tournament victories and strong runs in Grand Slam events. By 2025, her title count has increased, reflecting her development as a top player on the women's circuit. Her wins span various surfaces, underlining her versatility and competitive spirit.

Q: Results Toray Pan Pacific Open 2025

A: The 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open concluded with impressive performances from top-ranked players, with the title going to a standout competitor who dominated the field. Leylah Fernandez participated and delivered competitive matches, though she did not clinch the championship. The tournament maintained its reputation as a premier event in the Asian hard-court season.

Q: Top Canadian women’s tennis players 2025

A: In 2025, the top Canadian women’s tennis players include Leylah Fernandez, who remains a leading figure with significant WTA success. Other prominent Canadian female players have also risen in the rankings, contributing to Canada's growing reputation in women’s tennis. This group showcases a mix of experienced athletes and promising young talent making waves internationally.

Key Entities

Leylah Fernandez: Leylah Fernandez is a Canadian professional tennis player known for her strong baseline play and competitive spirit. She gained international recognition after reaching the 2021 US Open final as a teenager.

Tereza Valentová: Tereza Valentová is a young Czech tennis player emerging on the professional circuit. She is considered a promising talent in women's tennis with growing experience at ITF and WTA events.

Victoria Mboko: Victoria Mboko is a Canadian junior tennis player making strides in international competitions. She is noted for her athleticism and potential in the women's tennis scene.

Aryna Sabalenka: Aryna Sabalenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player ranked among the world’s top players for her aggressive playing style. She has won multiple WTA titles and is a strong competitor in Grand Slam tournaments.

Maria Sakkari: Maria Sakkari is a Greek professional tennis player known for her powerful groundstrokes and athleticism. She consistently ranks in the WTA's top tiers and has reached the latter stages of several Grand Slam events.

External articles

• 2025 Japan Women's Open – Singles
• Fernandez can't stop, won't stop winning with defeat of ...
• Leylah Fernandez beats Czech qualifier in Japan Open ...

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YouTube Video

Title: Starting our Monday off with a message from the #JapanOpen Champion! 😍#WTA #LeylahFernandez
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