By The Canadian Press

Canada’s Fernandez scores first-round win over Samsonova at Dubai Championships

Feb 15, 2026 | 11:00 AM

DUBAI — Canada’s Leylah Fernandez upset 13th-seeded Liudmila Samsonova of Russia 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 in women’s singles tennis opening-round action at the Dubai Championships on Sunday.

Fernandez, of Laval, Que., had seven aces to three double faults, and converted on four of her nine break-point chances.

The unseeded Fernandez also saved 10 of Samsonova’s 13 break-point opportunities.

Samsonova had four aces to five double faults in the two-hour, 52-minute match. She fell to 0-5 in three-set matches on the season.

Fernandez will face Indonesia’s Janice Tjen on Monday.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 15, 2026.

The Canadian Press