Canadian Open 2023: Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match details
Fixture: (11) Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez
Tournament: Canadian Open 2023
Round: Second round (Round of 32)
Venue: Montreal, Canada
Category: WTA 1000
Surface: Hard
Prize money: $2,788,468
Live telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - Sportsnet, TVA Sports | UK - Amazon Prime Video | India - Sony Liv
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez preview
In a battle of southpaws, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Leylah Fernandez will locks horn in an exciting second-round encounter at the 2023 Canadian Open.
Haddad Maia, who is the 11th seed at this year's tournament, came in not having played any matches since her heartbreaking retirement against Elena Rybakina at the Wimbledon Championships. Her comfortable 6-4, 6-2 first-round win over Magdalena Frech, however, seems to have put the questions about her fitness to rest for now.
The Brazilian has quietly put together a career-best season, where she broke into the top 10 of the world rankings and made her first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open.
Fernandez, meanwhile, continues to battle with poor form. The Canadian has won back-to-back main-draw matches only a handful of times this season and has seen her ranking plummet to No. 81.
Playing at home, she looked inspired in her 6-3, 6-2 victory over Peyton Stearns in the first round. She also posted a few encouraging wins over the likes of Bernarda Pera and Katie Boulter in Washington last week and will now look to build on the momentum.
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez head-to-head
Haddad Maia and Fernandez have split their previous two meetings, so the current head-to-head stands at a 1-1 deadlock. Both of the duo's meetings came on outdoor harcourt last year.
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez odds
All odds are sourced from BETMGM.
Beatriz Haddad Maia vs Leylah Fernandez prediction
Leylah Fernandez and Beatriz Haddad Maia possess similarly strong lefty serves — both women won over 75% first-serve points in their respective openers — and will look to win a fair few easy points points behind the delivery.
That said, Haddad Maia has shown greater intent with her baseline game in recent months and the quick courts in Montreal reward aggressive play. She will step out and look to dictate rallies from the baseline.
A standout aspect of Fernandez's game during her breakthrough 2021 US Open run was her refusal to back off from the baseline even in the face of pressure. Her buggy-whip forehand helped her absorb a lot of pace and go for winners when she stepped up.
The same mindset, however, has been lacking in her game since. The home fans will look to get behind Fernandez, but it will again come down to her willingness to take on the ball early. Unless she can do that and take charge, Haddad Maia will roll through.
Prediction: Haddad Maia to win in three sets