Leylah Fernandez credited her work ethic and mental strength for her success during this year's Asian swing, saying she remained calm and found solutions in difficult matches. (EPA Images pic)TOKYO: Leylah Fernandez hailed her "mental fortitude" after setting up a Pan Pacific Open title clash against Russia's Diana Shnaider on Saturday.
The world number 23 from Canada defeated Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova 7-5, 6-3 in Tokyo to reach a second final in a row.
Fernandez won her first title of the season in Singapore in September and followed that up by reaching the decider last week in Ningbo, where she lost to world number one Elena Rybakina.
Fernandez will face 13th-ranked Shnaider after she beat Slovakian 18-year-old Mia Pohankova 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) in the other semi-final.
