Leylah Fernandez beats Tereza Valentova in Japan Open final to win 5th WTA title

Canadian Leylah Fernandez got off to a quick start and then had to battle to defeat Tereza Valentova of the Czech Republic 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in the championship final of the Japan Women's Open on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old Fernandez, of Laval, Que., needed only 28 minutes to win the first set, but then needed almost two more hours to close it out as the 18-year-old Valentova found her game at the Utsubo Tennis Center in Osaka.

Fernandez finished with three aces, seven winners and only four unforced errors and two double faults.

Fernandez captures 5th WTA career title with victory at Japan Open

The Canadian won 43 points while receiving, compared to Valentova's 31.

Fernandez had a 70 per cent win percentage on first serve and 46 per cent on second serve. She saved five of nine break points, while Valentova saved nine of 16.