Fernandez, Trevisan into French Open quarters

PARIS, May 29 (AFP): Canadian teenager Leylah Fernandez reached the French Open quarter-finals for the first time on Sunday with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 win over 2019 semi-finalist Amanda Anisimova of the United States.

Fernandez, seeded 17th, who was US Open runner-up last year, will face Martina Trevisan of Italy for a place in the semi-finals.

The 19-year-old Fernandez has made the quarter-finals on the back of an impressive 23 service breaks over four rounds at Roland Garros.

"It was a very complicated match. Amanda is a very good player but I was happy to win in front of you," said the 2019 junior champion, name-checking French football great Thierry Henry who was watching the match on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"Without you guys encouraging me today, I could not have won today."

Meanwhile, Italian Martina Trevisan booked her place in the French Open quarter-finals on Sunday, edging out Aliaksandra Sasnovich in straight sets.

The world number 59 won 7-6 (12/10), 7-5 to reach the last eight at Roland Garros for the second time in three years.

Trevisan enjoyed a surprise run to the quarters as a qualifier in 2020, losing to eventual champion and current world number one Iga Swiatek.

"Paris is a bit like my second home," said the 28-year-old, who won her maiden WTA title earlier this month in Rabat.

"The atmosphere here is magical and I feel great on the court."

Trevisan will face either last year's US Open runner-up Leylah Fernandez or American Amanda Anisimova for a place in the semi-finals.

She was a qualifier ranked 159th in 2020 when she made a surprising run to the French Open quarterfinals before losing at that stage to eventual champion Iga Swiatek. This time, Trevisan will meet Leylah Fernandez or Amanda Anisimova for a semifinal berth.

Trevisan has lost in the first or second round in six other Grand Slam appearances.