This was a danger match for Rybakina going in, as Fernandez had won the pair's last two meetings, and both were marathons—a 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory in Canada last year, in which she saved two match points, and a 6-7 (2), 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) triumph in Washington D.C. this year.
And after seven straight holds of serve to start the match it looked like we might be in for another close one in Tokyo, but Rybakina broke for a 5-3 lead, and even though she got broken right back in the next game, she then reeled off four games in a row to build a 6-4, 3-0 lead.
From there the two held until it was over, Rybakina serving it out a few games later and sealing it with one last crosscourt backhand winner.
She finished with an even 18 winners to 18 unforced errors, and fought off four of the five break points she faced during the match.
"Today was a very difficult match," she said. "It's always not easy against Leylah, and especially it was the first match for me here, so I'm pretty happy with the win. I'm looking forward to my next match."
