In a thrilling showcase of talent at the 2025 Miami Open, Canadian tennis players Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez both advanced to the third round, highlighting a bright future for Canadian talent on the international stage.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, Montreal's Félix Auger-Aliassime delivered a solid performance against Australian qualifier Tristan Schoolkate, securing a straightforward 6-4, 6-4 victory. The 24-year-old was particularly impressive on serve, converting 84 percent of his service points and landing six aces. "I felt solid on serve and managed to save my only break point," said Auger-Aliassime, reflecting on his performance. Moreover, he capitalized on all 11 of his net points, underlining his dominance on the court.
Auger-Aliassime broke Schoolkate twice on nine opportunities, including a crucial break at the start of the second set. This decisive play allowed him to maintain control and ultimately complete the match in one hour and 27 minutes. As the 18th seed, he has now achieved a noteworthy 17-6 record for the season, along with two titles. Next, he will face 15th seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy on Sunday, March 23. The two players have previously met six times, splitting their encounters evenly, with Musetti recently winning during the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, March 20, 2025, 22-year-old Leylah Fernandez also advanced to the third round with a hard-earned victory over American Alycia Parks. Fernandez won the match 7-6 (1), 6-3, demonstrating resilience and skill. After dominating the first-set tiebreaker, Fernandez carried that momentum into the second set, breaking Parks three times while surrendering one break of her own. She earned 59.3 percent of total points throughout the match. "I managed to break back and take control of the match, which helped with my confidence," she noted.
Fernandez's success against Parks improved her head-to-head record against the American to 2-0, having faced her previously at the 2024 Australian Open. As the 26th seed, she had a bye into the second round, emphasizing her status within the tournament. Her next challenge comes against American Ashlyn Krueger, who made waves by upsetting No. 7 seed Elena Rybakina in an earlier match.
Leylah's performance was particularly noteworthy, as she faced moments of pressure when her powerful opponent managed to break her serve early in the first set. Despite this challenge, Fernandez harnessed her counterpunching abilities to regain control, making strategic plays at crucial points in the match.
In a significant mention, Gabriel Diallo from Montreal also made headlines on March 20, 2025, achieving his first win at the Miami Open. Earning his place in the main draw as a lucky loser after another competitor withdrew, Diallo executed a convincing 6-3, 6-0 triumph over Argentina’s Tomás Etcheverry. His match saw him dispatch the opponent in just under 75 minutes, showcasing dominating play—including firing six aces while converting five of eight break point opportunities.
Both Auger-Aliassime and Fernandez's wins add to the excitement around Canadian tennis at this tournament. As the event progresses, fans are eager to see whether they can continue their strong runs and possibly advance to more significant rounds. With both players showing such promising form, the anticipation is palpable. The rich tapestry of Canadian tennis is increasingly woven into the fabric of international competitions, pointing toward a bright future for these athletes.
Félix Auger-Aliassime and Leylah Fernandez’s performances reflect the growing prominence of Canadian players on the global tennis stage. As they prepare for their respective third-round clashes, the spotlight is surely set on their capabilities and the potential they carry representing Canada. With Diallo looking to continue his strong run, the Miami Open has thus far witnessed a remarkable display of skill and determination by the Canadian contingent.
