Leylah Fernandez won her fifth career WTA Tour title.
The Canadian, seeded fourth, defeated Czech Theresa Valentova, ranked 78 in the world, 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the Japan Open final on Sunday.
This marks Fernandez’s second tournament win this year, having won it last summer in Washington.
Fernandez has a favorable path to the Japanese title without having to compete against a seeded opponent. She has won five matches in Japan after losing in three sets to WTA stars Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka in her past two events in China.
Victory at the WTA 250 event will move Fernandez, from Laval, Que., up three spots to No. 21. She will overtake struggling Victoria Mboko to become Canada’s No. 1 again.
The 18-year-old Valentova competed in her first WTA event final in her career.
