Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Leylah Fernandez Storms Past Maya Joint in Straight Sets to Begin Citi DC Open 2025

Leylah Fernandez moves into Round 2 with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Maya Joint.

Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez made a confident start to her Citi DC Open campaign, dispatching rising Australian Maya Joint 6-3, 6-3 in the first round on Monday. The former US Open finalist delivered a composed yet efficient run, overwhelming Joint with consistency on serve and sharp returns. With the win, Fernandez now sets up a much-anticipated second-round clash against top seed Jessica Pegula.

Through to Round ✌️@leylahfernandez powers past Joint, 6-3, 6-3.#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/laUQa4Lclq
— wta (@WTA) July 21, 2025

As Predicted, Fernandez Shined With Experience

While Joint came into the match with two titles under her belt this season, in Morocco and Eastbourne, she struggled to find her rhythm against Fernandez’s all-court pressure. The 22-year-old Canadian won an impressive 70% of her service points and nine out of nine service games, giving Joint little opportunity to break through.

Leylah Fernandez d. Maya Joint 6-3, 6-3 to advance in DC.

Good morning for Canadian tennis.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) July 21, 2025

Fernandez’s first serve win rate stood at 78%, a clear advantage over Joint’s 63%. Even on the second serve, she maintained control, winning over half the points (53%). Her ability to keep the double faults to just two also gave her a cleaner edge in service games, while Joint’s five double faults cost her crucial points.

Fernandez won 72% of second serve return points, often stepping inside the baseline to take time away from Joint. That pressure led to three breaks of serve, while Joint couldn’t convert her lone break point opportunity. Also, Fernandez saved the only break point she faced.

GAME SET AND MATCH FERNANDEZ!

🇨🇦Leylah Fernandez defeats 🇦🇺Maya Joint 63 63 and is into the 2nd round in Washington!

Really liked Fernandez's serving today, played a great solid match.

Setting up a huge showdown with #1 seed 🇺🇸(1)Jessica Pegula in RD2. #MubadalaCitiOpen pic.twitter.com/ayiXefhTkB
— Jacob Pacheco (@JacobPacheco6) July 21, 2025

In total, Fernandez won 58% of all points played, compared to Joint’s 42%. She also dominated the last stretch of the match, winning eight of the last ten points to close it out. With Pegula up next, the challenge only intensifies. But if Fernandez can replicate this composure, especially behind her serve, she might just have a shot at unsettling the tournament’s top seed.

Mandatory Image Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Citi DC Open 2025

Leylah Fernandez

Maya Joint

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.