What a weekend for tennis! While trophies were handed out at three tournaments on Saturday, the real drama is unfolding today, Sunday, July 27th, at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. We've got two massive finals wrapping up the 500-level event in Washington, D.C., and at the same time, the main draws are just getting underway up north in Montreal and Toronto. It's the kind of day that has tennis fans glued to their screens, and you can catch it all on the Tennis Channel.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Leylah Fernandez stages a massive run to capture the biggest title of her career in Washington, D.C.
- ✓ Alejandro Davidovich Fokina upsets top seed Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton to reach his fourth ATP tour-level final.
- ✓ Alex de Minaur, aiming for his 10th career crown, leads the ATP tour with an impressive 20 hard-court wins in 2025.
- ✓ Canadian stars Bianca Andreescu and Vasek Pospisil kick off their home tournaments in Montreal and Toronto.
- ✓ Rain delays play in Washington and washes out most of the action at the Zug Challenger event in Switzerland.
Fernandez's Incredible Fight to the Top in D.C.
Let's talk about the women's final, because what a story this has been. Leylah Fernandez was on a mission to capture the biggest title of her career, and honestly, she truly had to earn it. The left-hander has been living on the absolute edge all week, pulling off one thrilling victory after another. It started with her taking out the top seed, Jessica Pegula, in a tight 7-5 in the third set just to make it to the quarterfinals.
If that wasn't dramatic enough, her semifinal match was a true heart-stopper. She went up against the third seed, Elena Rybakina, and found herself down a set and trailing 5-3. It looked like it was all over, but Fernandez dug deep, clawed her way back, and ultimately edged out Rybakina in a nail-biting decisive tiebreaker. It was one of those matches that reminds you why you love this sport—pure grit and determination.
Her final-round opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, had a completely different journey. Kalinskaya was on fire, winning all eight sets she played heading into the final. She notably cooled off a resurgent Emma Raducanu in her own semifinal win. This set the stage for a fascinating final, and in the end, it was Fernandez's hard-fought resilience that won the day, as she routed Kalinskaya to claim that career-defining title.
A Clash of Styles: Davidovich Fokina vs. De Minaur
Now for the men's championship, which, thanks to some rain, has us all waiting in anticipation. This one is a classic showdown between the flashy, unpredictable shot-maker and the relentlessly consistent defender. On one side, you have the No. 12 seed, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who is chasing his very first ATP title. The Spaniard has been on an absolute tear in the nation's capital, putting together one of the most impressive runs of his career.
He first stunned the home crowd by upsetting the top seed, Taylor Fritz, in the quarterfinals. He then followed that up by masterfully dispatching the powerful American Ben Shelton in straight sets, 6-2, 7-5. He did it by leaning on his incredible speed, frustrating his opponents with a dizzying mix of drop shots, volleys, and pinpoint passing shots. You have to feel for the guy; he has an 0-3 record in tour-level finals and even held championship points in Delray Beach earlier this season, so he's hungry for this win.
On the other side of the net is the No. 7 seed, Alex de Minaur. This guy is a human backboard and has been the most consistent player all week, dropping just one set on his way to the final. A win today would be his 10th career crown, and here's a wild stat for you: he leads all ATP players with a staggering 20 hard-court wins so far in 2025. He's going to be an incredibly tough out.
The Head-to-Head Breakdown
So, how do they stack up? Their head-to-head is perfectly tied at two wins apiece. But here's the crucial detail: de Minaur has won both of their encounters on hard surfaces, while Davidovich Fokina's wins came on grass and clay. In their last meeting, at the Masters 1000 in Canada in 2023, de Minaur handled him easily, 6-1, 6-3. This gives the Aussie a clear mental edge, but Davidovich Fokina's current form is electrifying. It really feels like anything could happen, especially with the rain causing delays and potentially affecting court conditions.
Meanwhile, Action Heats Up in Canada
While the finals have our attention in D.C., the summer hard-court season is officially kicking into high gear with the start of the Masters 1000 events in Canada. In Montreal, there's no shortage of fantastic opening-day matchups. All eyes will be on the evening session, where Canada's own Bianca Andreescu is set for a blockbuster clash of former major champions against Barbora Krejcikova. How great is that for a first-round match?
The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for, with other local favorites like Victoria Mboko, Marina Stakusic, and Rebecca Marino all in action. Over in Toronto, the men are getting underway, and the main attraction on Center Court's night schedule is another Canadian, Vasek Pospisil. He's drawn qualifier Facundo Bagnis in what could potentially be a career-ender for the veteran, adding an emotional layer to the day's play. It’s a day full of familiar faces and rising stars across North America.
Conclusion
What a Sunday for tennis fans. We witnessed a truly inspiring and gritty performance from Leylah Fernandez to secure the biggest win of her career at the DC Open. We're also on the edge of our seats for the men's final, a perfect contrast of styles between the creative firepower of Davidovich Fokina and the relentless defense of de Minaur. With the big guns also starting their campaigns in Montreal and Toronto, it's clear the summer hard-court season is well and truly heating up, promising plenty more drama to come.
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