For the beginning of the Olympic Games in Paris, Leylah Fernandez said, “I hope Good Bringing lots of medals for Canada, fingers crossed!” She’s already made a successful start. The 21-year-old Canadian recently became the first Canadian woman to reach the last 16 of the Olympic Games. She is also the last Canadian woman standing at the Olympic Games in Paris in tennis. Next up for her is the former world number 1, Angelique Kerberin 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 at the 2016 Rio Olympics and now she wants to make a similar deep run and end her career on a high.

Leylah Fernandez vs Angelique Kerber: Preview

Leylah Fernandez defeated the Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova in the first round with 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. Howeverin the next matchit was a relative easier task as she toppled Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in two sets. She didn’t hit any aces but did make 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 were reaching the R16 twice this season, but she stunned everyone with her performance in Paris this time around. Kerber defeated Naomi Osaka with 7-5, 6-3 in the first round and then achieved a three-set victory in a hard-fought match 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 serves, but on break points she recorded 4/9.

Fernandez vs Kerber: Head-to-Head

Leylah Fernandez has only met the German tennis star once in her career. Fans witnessed a nail-biting match the last time they met. They met in the R16 of the 2021 US open. Leylah Fernandez defeated Angelique Kerber 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2. What will the score be this time in Paris?

Prediction: Fernandez to win in three sets

It looks like the German superstar’s astonishing career is coming to an end. Maybe a tough choice, but looking at their current form, it’s hard not to pick Leylah Fernandez! The Canadian has a win-loss record of 18-15 this season, while Kerber is just 7-14. Fernandez is ranked 25th in the world, while the German is ranked 212!

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

Kerber’s performances this season have not been that great. With only 26 aces, she has a worrying 60 double faults in her serve. Kerber has won 59% of her service games and 31.6% of her return games. Since they have both struggled a bit with their serves, they will want to make the most of their returns and interestingly enough, the German might have a slight advantage!

Fernandez’s game is made up of power, agility and incredible strategic movement. The left-handed tennis player can create some challenging angles to keep her opponents on the edge of their seats at all times. Kerber needs to keep an eye on Fernandez’s quick footwork and play the match accordingly. Fernandez’s incredible display of fighting spirit, even against some of her toughest opponents, is what makes her a special player to watch.

Kerber, on the other hand, is more of a defensive baseliner. She is known for her counter-punching style of play and she often tends to extend the trap to attract mistakes from her opponents with an aggressive style of play. Will we see a similar approach in this match? Time will tell, but Kerber needs to use her deadly weapon, forehand-down-the-line, to create more winners from defensive positions.

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