Before the start of the Paris Olympics, Leylah Fernandez said, “I hope we’ll bring back many medals for Canada, fingers crossed!” She has already got off to a winning start. The 21-year-old Canadian recently became the first Canadian woman to reach the last 16 of the Olympics. She’s also the last Canadian woman standing at the Paris Olympics in tennis. Next up for her is the former world number 1, Angelique Kerber, in the third round.

The 36-year-old German superstar has already announced that the Paris Olympics will likely be the last tournament of her playing career. She won the silver medal in the singles event at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and now she wants to make a similar deep run and end her career on a high note.

Leylah Fernandez vs Angelique Kerber: Preview

Leylah Fernandez defeated the Czechia’s Karolina Muchova in the first round by 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. However, in the next match, it was a relatively easier task as she toppled the Spaniard, Cristina Bucsa in two sets. She failed to hit any aces but committed 2 double faults. Fernandez won 59% of her first serve and 93% of her second serve. Her breakpoint conversion was recorded at 7/14 against the Spaniard.

Kerber’s best results have been reaching the R16 twice this season. However, she has stunned everyone with her performance in Paris this time. Kerber defeated Naomi Osaka by 7-5, 6-3 in the first round and then sealed a three-set victory in a hard-fought battle against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian. In that match against Cristian, she hit 2 aces and committed 3 double faults. Angelique Kerber won 74% of her first serve and 88% of her second serve, but on breakpoints, she recorded 4/9.

Fernandez vs Kerber: Head-to-Head

Leylah Fernandez has faced the German tennis star only once in her career. Fans witnessed a nail-biting contest last time when they had crossed paths with each other. They met in the R16 of the 2021 US Open. Leylah Fernandez defeated Angelique Kerber by 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2. What will be the scoreline this time around in Paris?

Prediction: Fernandez to win in straight sets

So, as things look like we are all set to see an end to an astonishing career of the German superstar. Maybe a harsh pick, but if we look at their current form, it’s pretty hard not to pick Leylah Fernandez! The Canadian has a win-loss record of 18-15 this season, whereas for Kerber, it’s just 7-14. Fernandez is ranked 25th in the world, while the German is placed at 212!

The Canadian tennis star has played some great matches this year. She has reached one final and two QFs in the 2024 season. Fernandez has hit 61 aces but has committed quite a few double faults (125). She has won 71.2% of her service games and 34.4% of her return games.

Kerber’s performance hasn’t been too great this season. With only 26 aces, she has a concerning 60 double faults to her serve. Kerber has won 59% of her service games and 31.6% of her return games. Since both of them have struggled a bit with their serves, they will be keen to make full use of their returns and interestingly, the German may have a slight edge!

Fernandez’s game comprises power, agility, and incredible strategic moves. This left-handed tennis star can create some challenging angles to keep her opponents always on their toes. Kerber needs to keep an eye on Fernandez’s quick footwork and play the match accordingly. Fernadez’s incredible display of fighting spirit even against some of her toughest opponents is what makes her a special player to watch out for.

Kerber on the other hand is more of a defensive baseliner. She’s known for her counter-punching style of play and she often tends to extend the falling to draw in errors from her opponents with an aggressive style of play. Are we going to see a similar approach in this game? Time will tell, but Kerber needs to make use of her lethal weapon, forehand-down-the-line to create more winners from defensive positions.

Her second serve is one of her biggest weak points, however she is one of the best returners on the Tour, but does it make her a favorite in this matchup? No!