Leylah Annie Fernandez easily defeated Australian Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Hong Kong Tennis Open.
Fernandez, the third seed in the tournament, got rid of her rival, 115th racket in the world, in 80 minutes on Chinese cement.
The 22-year-old from Laval will face American Bernarda Pera, ninth seed in the tournament, in the next round. Fernandez is 2-0 in her career against Pera, having notably beaten her in the first round of the Dubai tournament last February.
The Canadian was much more efficient than Birrell in serving, both with her first ball and with her second. Additionally, she only committed three double faults during their duel.
Fernandez was also much more opportunistic than the Australian in crucial moments of the match; she converted four of her eight break points, and did not give up her serve in three opportunities offered to her rival.
In a tournament in Bolivia, Canadian Carson Branstine withdrew from her match while trailing 6-0 and 3-0 to Romanian Anca Todoni.
Canada
Related News :