Ekaterina Alexandrova vs. Leylah Fernandez Extended Highlights | 2023 US Open Round 1

Beautiful that backhand is the trademark there for Allison Drover. Team that Fernandez has. Into a final at this event that that's going to work against players. They don't have that respect. Oh, well done, that's beautiful. That backhand paints the corner and that's the shot that's just so reliable for Alexandra. But the final last week in Cleveland. Look at this clean ball strike right through the court. She's a top 20 player for a. So she loved day two off the forehand wing. This is what she does so well. She redirects power and pace. We saw that in her 2021 run here. It's well collected by face down there. Oh yes, and that's why I talked about just their body language and what they're producing out there. That's a. Great shot from Layla, though she just. And that one's going to sell wide as well. So we've traded breaks. Yeah, this is beautiful. She just picks that one up this one. She really loads on that great legs. Look how low she stays so low, Lou, beautiful. Radvanska s just that speed going through the court. A couple of years back. It's been hard for these players to back it up. Octane of Fernandez. Yeah, that one catches the tape and again Fernandez breaks but can't consolidate. It's that little slice. It didn't do anything though. It was in between a drop shot. Oh nice, had I been open when Layla was playing junior. She got to the final there, but it's all about discipline, respect and work hard and not a lot of fun. Enjoy it seems that he's bringing it. Oh nice, wow, that came back with a little extra. Oh no, just left too much air underneath that drop shot. Yeah, this one here just not executed. Well, there's all day to figure out what you're going to do. Light is on on the run, pulls the trigger. Saved a break point now has a game point. All lines that up perfectly. Did Alexandra by a 6th? Oh, that's really nice from really good solid base here. This one look at that inside the court, but that's the one you can really get that angle. Now it's Angela 7th winner to a. First set tie break. Oh, that's her biggest serve of the day. Alexandra 110 and out wide one on. Well, great scrambling. That wasn't an easy ball from Alexandra, but either that swinging backhand volley confirms the mini break as they change sides. And indeed, Alexandra has the first set. Alan finds the corner of the court. Left hip on the return. That racket was. Yeah, it's just. The third one here. It's almost like getting the yips. And then you rush Alexandra. Yeah, that's nice backhand up the line. Up the net, so this is exactly what Fernandez wants just to break back. Near to the bottom of the net. So Fernandez she was broken. She breaks right back. Well, she got it in. But it's better to try to slow that first one in and and just get that value. Well done, can she get one more and get back on even terms here? The crowd would like that and. Thought goes into this. Fernandez 5 points in a row when it felt like she had no confidence. For a Katarina to get to that one. Good aggression there for Layla. Sneak in, maybe not the wrong idea, just waited a second too long. Now this one is a different approach. The slice trying to get that one to sit down low. I don't mind that. Range they have to be really struggling on that ball. Spitalina Kerber and Sabalenka to make the final. Hasn't really seen a run like that, and I mean obviously Radikanu was doing it. Second serve that ball just. Great lefty kick out wide to the devil's alley. That was a big hold. Beautiful combo there. Just going to make mention that Alexandra sometimes can have a tough time. Oh, that's unbelievable. And from Fernandez, this one here, this this opens up. The court beautiful we starting to see a little bit more of that pattern of play using her forehand open the court. Great steady. The lefty spin. Yeah, this is smart, isn't it? Not just keep trying to go back through your opponent. Out loud point here. And a double fault. From Alexandra, so it is Layla Fernandez. You just commit to move forwards and and you just have to make the play. This is an example of that from Alexandra. Over no time to think, just be aggressive. Saved one sales long and Fernandez broken. Fernandez is just lift her. Her quality better with that backhand of games that's been able to get her out of trouble is backhand. Good serve. 15 and 14. 1314 so Fernandez does get the break. Oh wow, that's a good response. And again. Wow, how many times does she absorb pace in this rally and then comes up with something special like that? I'm not sure if she exactly meant to hit that. And as a back into this game. Does feel like. This game is maybe a little. Oh, the angle from Alexandra from this incredible. Huge hitting from Alexandra. That is her 25th. Jesus, I haven't seen that much today. Seven times in 92 and you look at what Alexandra over has been doing. She's moved forward 11 times. We're riding a roller coaster on grandstand. Placed herself while Fernandez whenever she's come forward, she's always allowed. Doing here is another example. This wasn't one of her best. This one sits up too high. Had options here, Alexandra. Three games or 20 minutes ago he said. Do you want it? And clearly this young Layla Fernandez. She wants it. She is really trying to throw everything in there. What a clutch volley there. Alexandra over you can just see the racket going no way. What? Nice. Up and down the mountain a few times this pair. Three break points. 15 and 40 break chances have has a couple more looks here. Well, that previous ball found the line, but then Fernandez not enough. Forehand wing today. Wow, it's the back end that sets the play up here. Good depth. Sandrova that's well saved the break point. Not always easy when that's not your usual. Beauty from Alexandra. She was on the front foot. Well, this is all about. Just determination and being aggressive. Is it to be more patient? To ask the question, Alexandra, that's exactly what Alexandra over is doing here. It's another to face here. Yeah, does a great job of just scrambling around the court. Both players here until she gets this opening good set up there. Didn't overplay that look middle of the court. Oh, but it's Alexandra who answers with a new just for hand. Sandra, but one of her points of the day. Look at that get from. Layla, it was. Absolute fight to the finish, but it's a Katarina Alexandra who takes out 7 the 2021 runner up. Layla Fernandez. Nice respect. From the players there. And it is Alexandra who emerges in three hours time. Well, what a fight between these two. Just great tennis. We saw some incredible moments from both Fernandez had the lead.