The 22-year-old bagged the first WTA 500 victory of her career and her first title since 2023 to win 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour on Sunday.
The win completed a fairytale week for Fernandez, the 2021 US Open finalist who had beaten top seed Jessica Pegula and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina on her way to the fourth title of her career.
Fernandez said she had grown in belief throughout her campaign.
“In the beginning of the tournament [there] was still a lot of doubt, but as the tournament progressed, I was starting to play better,” Fernandez said.
“I have gone through so many different challenges this week. I think it has just made me stronger in a way, that if I can get through this week – through the cramps, through the long matches, through the heat and humidity – I can get through anything.”
In the men’s final, Australia’s Alex De Minaur saved three match points on his way to a battling 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to clinch the ATP Tour DC Open crown.
Seventh seed De Minaur looked to be heading for defeat against his 12th-seeded Spanish opponent after trailing 5-2 in the deciding set in Washington.
But Davidovich Fokina – chasing the first ATP title of his career after losing in three previous final appearances – failed to capitalise on his hefty lead.
The Spaniard appeared to tighten when serving for the match at 5-3 up to allow De Minaur to claw it back to 5-4.
But Davidovich Fokina responded to that missed opportunity by then earning three match points on De Minaur’s serve in the next game.
Yet once again, the Spaniard was unable to take advantage and De Minaur survived to hold serve and level the match at 5-5.
The next two games went on serve to set up the tie break and De Minaur was quickly in control, sealing victory on the first of three match points with an ace, to settle a 3hr 2mins slugfest.
De Minaur said he had never doubted his ability to turn around the final.
“I just kind of knew I could do it,” De Minaur said. “I just backed myself to commit no matter what, and if I lost this match, it was going to be on my terms. (AFP)