Canada’s Leylah Fernandez exits Italian Open after three-set loss to Masarova

ROME — Leylah Fernandez was upset by world No. 160 Rebeka Masarova of Switzerland 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the round of 64 at the Italian Open on Friday.

The Laval, Que., native took the opening set before Masarova answered in the second and dominated on serve in the third, winning 95 per cent of her first-serve points while not allowing Fernandez a break-point chance in the final set.

Leylah Fernandez, ranked 23rd in the world and seeded 25th in Rome, finished with one ace and five double faults.

Masarova converted five of 10 break-point chances in the two-hour, 23-minute clay-court match.

Montreal’s Félix Auger-Aliassime, the lone Canadian still alive in singles play, will face Argentina’s Mariano Navone in the round of 64 on Saturday.

In women’s doubles, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani, seeded fourth, will open the tournament against Czechia’s Marie Bouzkova and Russia’s Anna Panova, while Fernandez and Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto will meet Americans Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 8, 2026.