Leylah Fernandez joins Bianca Andreescu in playing WTA 125k tournament after early Madrid exit

Monday, 28 April 2025 at 12:00

Bianca Andreescu was confirmed to be playing the Catalonia Open after she was defeated at the Madrid Open by Elena Rybakina but it seems another Canadian had a similar idea in Leylah Fernandez.

Fernandez will be top seed over the next week at the Catalonia Open and will face either Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Emiliana Arango in the second round. Ajla Tomljanovic who has had some success on the lower circuit previously in her comeback attempts will also be one to watch.

She sits in Fernandez' section and will open against Carlota Martinez Cirez facing the winner of Elisabetta Cocciaretto or Jule Niemeier.

Katerina Siniakova is third seed and face Andrea Lazaro Garcia. But it is the section involving the fourth seed which perhaps courts the most attention. Kimberly Birrell has handed Bianca Andreescu a tough assignment in her latest return.

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Andreescu has played Rouen, Madrid and now Catalonia in her attempt to return to the sport and will play Rome next week. But signed up in a desperate attempt for wins and also ranking points with her protected ranking only helping her into qualifying for Roland Garros.

She could then face Xiyu Wang or Dalma Galfi if she gets past Birrell. Maya Joint, the rising Aussie is also in this lower section as is second seed Lulu Sun.

Elsewhere this week, Naomi Osaka will play Saint Malo. She is second seed with her wildcard and faces Petra Marcinko then either Jessika Ponchet or Diane Parry. Olivia Gadecki or Victoria Mboko is likely the main danger in her section. The Canadian in particular has dominated these tournaments in the past few months emerging at the Sunshine Double after a stellar run.

Other top names include McCartney Kessler who is top seed. While Katie Volynets also continues her comeback, she could face Priscilla Hon or Varvara Lepchenko in the second round. Also Kaja Juvan faces Greet Minnen. So amid the conclusion of Madrid, it is also a great week for those players to get matches in ahead of Rome.