Leylah Fernandez achieved the best result of her 2026 season so far last week at the Singapore Open.
Fernandez won the WTA 500 title in Singapore after beating the likes of Mirra Andreeva, Maja Chwalinska and Talia Gibson.
This is a sixth career title for Fernandez in what has been a relatively disappointing season for the former US Open finalist.
Eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors has given his verdict on Fernandez’s title victory and revealed what he hopes the Canadian does not do now.
Jimmy Connors hopes Leylah Fernandez ‘does not sit back on her laurels’
Despite winning a WTA 500 title in Singapore, Fernandez actually has a negative win-loss record so far in 2026. This includes Fernandez losing in the first round of three of the four Grand Slam tournaments, before reaching the third round of the US Open.
Fernandez’s best results this year have come at the Singapore Open, and during the clay court season in Madrid and Stuttgart.
| Tournaments Leylah Fernandez has played in 2026 | Result |
| Brisbane International | First Round |
| Adelaide International | First Round |
| Australian Open | First Round |
| Abu Dhabi Open | Second Round |
| Qatar Open | First Round |
| Dubai Tennis Championships | Second Round |
| Indian Wells | Second Round |
| Miami Open | Third Round |
| Charleston Open | Third Round |
| Stuttgart Open | Quarter-final |
| Madrid Open | Quarter-final |
| Italian Open | Second Round |
| Clarins Open | First Round |
| Strasbourg Open | Quarter-final |
| Roland Garros | First Round |
| Queen’s Club Championships | First Round |
| Nottingham Open | First Round |
| Bad Homburg Open | First Round |
| Wimbledon | First Round |
| Washington Open | Second Round |
| Canadian Open | Fourth Round |
| Cincinnati Open | Second Round |
| US Open | Third Round |
| Singapore Tennis Open | Won the title |
When discussing Fernandez’s recent success in the latest edition of his podcast, Connors highlighted her inconsistency this year and stated his hope for the 24-year-old not to ‘sit back on her laurels’ in the latter stages of the 2026 season.
“That is inconsistency. The ups and downs,” began Connors. “But when you go through a year like that, when you have a losing record, and all of a sudden you pop up and win a tournament like that, to me that should just say to her enough of that. This is where I belong, winning these events and playing this kind of tennis.
“She should keep working towards that. That is a big event she has won. I hope that she does not sit back on her laurels now, I hope that she pushes and tries to get back and play like a tournament champion.”
Who do you think will win the women’s singles title at the China Open this year?
Leylah Fernandez’s potential draw at the China Open
Fernandez will be hoping to continue her momentum at the China Open, a tournament where she has only won one of her three previous matches.
As the 23rd seed, Fernandez has received an automatic bye to the second round, where she will play against Kamilla Rakhimova, a player who she has never lost to before.
Iva Jovic is a potential third round opponent for Fernandez if she is able to beat Rakhimova again, with Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina all potential opponents in her half of the draw.
- First Round: Receives a bye as the 23rd seed
- Second Round: Kamilla Rakhimova
- Third Round: Iva Jovic (10)
- Fourth Round: Iga Swiatek (8)
- Quarter-final: Coco Gauff (3)
- Semi-final: Elena Rybakina (1)
- Final: Aryna Sabalenka (2)
Fernandez will begin her campaign at this year’s China Open against Rakhimova on Saturday, October 3.
This is one of a number of tournaments Fernandez has entered before the end of the season, as she is also scheduled to play in Wuhan and Tokyo.
