In her first game of the season, Leylah Annie Fernandez defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova in two sets of 6-3, 6-4 on Monday at the tournament in Adelaide, Australia.
The finalist of the most recent US Open won the 34e world player quite easily, winning in particular more than 86% of her points in first serve.
The Quebecer left nothing to her opponent, facing no breakage bullet. In return, the Russian had difficulty serving, as evidenced by her seven double faults.
Fernandez will face the winner of the duel between fifth seed and Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek and Australian Daria Saville, 421e world, in the round of 16.