Leylah Fernandez of Laval, Que., advanced to the second round of the Japan Open with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Japan’s Himeno Sakatsume on Tuesday in Tokyo.
The Canadian, ranked 23rd in the world, needed just over 90 minutes to defeat the world’s 114th-ranked player. The 24-year-old converted three of nine break-point opportunities.
Next Up: Mertens
Fernandez comes off a runner-up finish at the Ningbo Open last weekend. She will next face fifth-seeded Elise Mertens of Belgium, whom she beat last week in Ningbo.
Doubles Withdrawal
Fernandez also withdrew from the doubles competition on Tuesday because of a left-arm issue, according to the official WTA draw. She and Spain’s Cristina Bucsa were scheduled to face top seeds Gabriela Dabrowski of Ottawa and Luisa Stefani of Brazil, who advanced to the quarterfinals by walkover.