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Match details
Fixture: (2) Ons Jabeur vs Leylah Fernandez
Date: 17 June 2021
Tournament: Viking Classic Birmingham
Round: Second round (Round of 16)
Venue: Berlin, Germany
Category: WTA 500
Surface: Grass
Prize money: $235,238
Live telecast: USA - NBC Sports / Tennis Channel | UK - Amazon Prime Video
Ons Jabeur vs Leylah Fernandez preview
Ons Jabeur opened her Birmingham campaign with a comfortable straight-sets win over 19-year-old American Caty McNally on Tuesday. The Tunisian was in top form and did not face a single break point en route to a 6-4, 6-2 victory.
Jabeur will next face another talented youngster in the form of Canada's Leylah Fernandez, who defeated Wang Yafan 7-5, 6-3 in her opener.
Fernandez entered the tournament with a career-high ranking of 66. However, the Canadian has struggled for form in recent weeks.
She lifted her first career title at the 2021 Monterrey Open, but has since failed to kick on.
Difficult draws and a slight slump in form have contributed to the 18-year-old's recent struggles and she will be hoping to kick into gear during the grasscourt season.
Fernandez possesses a game that translates well onto faster surfaces and she could well pose a threat to Jabeur on Thursday.
Ons Jabeur vs Leylah Fernandez head-to-head
Ons Jabeur leads Leylah Fernandez 1-0 in the head-to-head, having won their only previous meeting.
The two locked horns in Cincinnati last year, with the Tunisian prevailing in a topsy-turvy three-set match.
Ons Jabeur vs Leylah Fernandez prediction
Despite the disparity in rankings, this could well be a closely contested affair. Ons Jabeur and Leylah Fernandez both rely on their powerful groundstrokes to take charge of the baseline.
That said, Jabeur definitely holds the edge given the variety in her game. The Tunisian is capable of playing any shot in the book, although her tendency to overthink on the court often lands her in trouble.
Moreover, she does not have too many grasscourt matches under her belt and could take some time to adjust to the conditions.
For Fernandez, the key will be to stay alert and pounce on any opportunity that comes her way to break the Jabeur serve. She will also have to stay solid on her own serve, which is not the biggest on the tour.
Ultimately, Jabeur's experience could be what makes the difference in this contest.
Prediction: Ons Jabeur to win in three sets
