(Tokyo) Leylah Annie Fernandez does not blush. After winning the Hong Kong tournament, the 21-year-old Quebecer defeated China’s Guo Hanyu 6-1, 6-3 in the curtain-raiser of the Jiangxi Open on Tuesday.
Fernandez, who is now 43e in the world, will now meet in the round of 16 with the Chinese You Xiaodi. The latter, 233e world racket, set the table for the duel against Laval by sharply beating sixth seed Anna Blinkova 6-1, 6-1.
Furthermore, favorite Beatriz Haddad-Maia and second seed Magda Linette left in the first round.
Nao Hibino toppled Haddad-Maia 7-6 (2), 6-3, while Valeria Savinykh beat Linette 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3).
Among the other winners of the day are Aliaksandra Sasnovich, Varvara Gravach and Ulrikke Eikeri.
On the men’s side, top seed Taylor Fritz and second seed Casper Ruud each won their first match at the Tokyo Open.
Fritz disposed of the 18e world player Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-3, while Ruud defeated Yosuke Watanuki 7-6 (8), 6-3.
Fritz, who is ranked 10e in the world, fired 13 aces and stole Norrie’s serve three times. He thus brought his career record against the Briton to 7-6.
The 25-year-old American will face the Japanese Shintaro Mochizuki in the next round, who surprised Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 7-6 (5).
Ruud will cross swords with the American Marcus Giron.
Other winners on Tuesday included Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Ben Shelton, Cristian Garin and Diego Schwatzman.
Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime will face Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the round of 16 next night.
