“I always tell myself that before I go out on the court, ‘Don’t be afraid to stay out there for as long as it takes,” Emma Navarro revealed amid her unfortunate Australian Open campaign. The WTA star was seen facing troubles in the courts of Melbourne, where she reported that the ball had no control. After her quarter-final exit against Iga Swiatek, the American is gearing up to test her levels in Qatar now. Whereas her opponent, Leylah Fernandez, is coming all charged up, having played quite a few singles and doubles matches since early January this year.

Emma Navarro vs Leylah Fernandez: Preview

Ranked No. 9, Navarro is set to begin her campaign in Doha after her last match in Melbourne, where she lost to Swiatek 6-1, 6-2 in the quarterfinals on January 22. So far in 2025, the American has won 5 matches and lost 3, all on hard courts.

World No. 27, Leylah Fernandez advanced to the second round after a strong 6-1, 6-2 win over Greet Minnen. In the first round, Leylah played a solid match, winning in straight sets. She scored 64 points compared to Minnen’s 42 and hit 23 winners with an aggressive style.

On serve, Annie hit 3 aces and made just 1 double fault. She was very effective, winning 77% (23/30) of her first-serve points and 56% (10/18) on her second-serve. This helped her avoid losing serve even once. She was also sharp on returns, converting all her break points and breaking Minnen 5 times.

Navarro vs Fernandez: Head-to-head

Looking at the head-to-head stats between Emma Navarro and Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian stands on the heavier side. In a total of three matches played against the American rival, the 22-year-old won two of them. Their last showdown was recorded back in 2023 at the Guadalajara Open. The match turned out to be one-sided as the Canadian took down Navarro with a final score line of 6-2, 6-3.

Prediction: Navarro to win in three sets

Both Emma Navarro and Leylah Fernandez are playing in the Qatar Open main draw for the second time. Last year, Navarro reached the Round of 16 before losing to Elena Rybakina, while Fernandez made it to the quarterfinals but lost to Rybakina.

Navarro doesn’t rely on powerful shots like some other players, but she has smart strategies to control points. She uses heavy topspin on her forehand to push opponents back and mixes up her shots with slices and drop shots to break their rhythm. Her experience in doubles also makes her strong at the net, where she can finish points quickly. Fernandez, known for her speed and fighting spirit, will need to be aggressive and take control early to avoid getting caught in Navarro’s tactical play.

This match could be a close battle, as both players possess different styles. Navarro’s smart shot-making and variety could give her the edge, but Fernandez’s quick footwork and determination will make it tough. The overall odds back the American as she could win in three sets.