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WASHINGTON — Canada’s Leylah Fernandez advanced to her first semifinal of the season with a 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over American qualifier and former doubles partner Taylor Townsend on Friday at the Citi Open hardcourt tennis tournament.

Fernandez played an aggressive return game against Townsend and had 23 break-point chances, converting five.

Still, Fernandez only finished the game one break ahead after defending just three of the seven break-point chances she faced.

Fernandez...