Ostapenko edges Fernandez 1-6, 6-1, 4-6 in Wuhan despite 12-2 break-point gap

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Twelve break points saved to two. Five aces to two. Thirty-three first-serve points won to twenty-six. Every serving number pointed towards Leylah Fernandez — and Jelena Ostapenko still left Wuhan a winner, 1-6, 6-1, 4-6 in the Round of 16.

The opening set was all Ostapenko. She won 13 return points to Fernandez's 5, broke three times and faced no break point herself. Fernandez served four double faults and kept just one of four break points at bay. 6-1, done quickly.

Then the mirror flipped. Fernandez won 12 return points to 4, broke Ostapenko three times and never lost serve — Ostapenko saved two of five break points and double-faulted three times. 6-1 back, and Wuhan had a decider.

The third set became a siege. Fernandez saved 11 of the 13 break points she faced, an 84% stand, and still could not get clear — Ostapenko won 19 return points to 9, and although Fernandez engineered one break of her own, Ostapenko made her two count, closing it 6-4.

Ostapenko's win was built on return, not serve. Fernandez put 47 of 80 first serves in play to Ostapenko's 36 of 65 and won more first-serve points, yet Ostapenko collected 36 return points to 26, converted five breaks to Fernandez's four, and took the match 76-70 on total points. Seven double faults apiece — the difference was who punished the misses.

The scoreboard says Ostapenko won. The serving numbers lean Fernandez's way. But Ostapenko faced only six break points all match to Fernandez's 17, and won the only count that matters: the last one.