Fernandez, Cornet drop Indian Wells doubles bid to Chinese duo

MANILA, Philippines – Leylah Fernandez ended her BNP Paribas Open stint with another loss as she and Alize Cornet bowed to Yifan Xu and Zhaoxuan Yang of China, 5-7, 1-6, Thursday (Friday, Manila time) and missed the finals of women’s doubles in Indian Wells, California.

Fernandez and Cornet battled the Chinese pair in a furious first-set duel that featured seven service breaks, the last came in the 12th game on the French and Fil-Canadian’s serve, which netted the set for Xu and Yang.

They struggled from there, enabling Xu and Yang to race to a 5-1 lead in the second frame. Fernandez and Cornet fought back and seized a 40-15 lead on the Chinese duo’s serve in the seventh game, only to blow it in the face of their rivals’ fiery comeback on their way to a sweep.

They will dispute the crown against Asia Muhammad of the US and Japanese Ena Shibahara, who subdued Canadian Gabriela Dabrowski and Giuliana Olmos of Mexico in a tough semis duel, 7-6(6), 3-6, 10-5.

Meanwhile, the singles headed to a thrilling finish as Greek Maria Sakkari clashes with defending champion Paula Badosa in the first semis match with both aces still have to drop a set in the event.

Third seed Iga Swiatek and No. 24 Simona Halep slug it out for the other finals slot in their side of the Final Four.

Fernandez, 19, blew her singles bid with a 4-6, 4-6 loss to Badosa in the Round of 16 with the world No. 21 hoping to bounce back in next week's Miami Open where rising Pinay star Alex Eala is also competing after receiving a wildcard berth.