(Dubai) Leylah Annie Fernandez defeated American Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-2 in the first round of the women’s tennis tournament in Dubai on Monday morning.
Fernandez, who is at 33e world rank, took the measure of Pera, 83e, after an hour and 19 minutes of play on the Dubai cement. The 21-year-old Quebecer now has a 2-0 career record against the American, after defeating her at the Washington tournament last year.
She will face the Italian Jasmine Paolini, 57, in the second round.e world racket.
Fernandez was never really worried by Pera. Even though she was limited to four aces and committed four double faults, one less than her opponent, Fernandez managed to do well.
The 2021 US Open finalist notably won 62.5% of serving points, compared to barely 45.6% for her rival. She also dominated her opponent with 54.5% of points in return of serve, while Pera was limited to 37.5% of points in the same circumstances.
In addition, the Canadian was more opportunistic than Pera in the crucial moments of the match; she converted five of her eight break points, while the American was limited to two breaks in seven occasions.
Furthermore, the Laval resident and her Georgian playing partner Oksana Kalashnikova fell 6-4, 3-6 and 11-9 to the American Sofia Kenin and her Russian teammate Mirra Andreeva in the curtain-raiser of the women’s doubles tournament.