Australian Open | First round victory for Leylah Annie Fernandez

(Melbourne) The wait will have been worth it for Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez.

Fernandez beat Ukraine’s Yulia Starodubtseva 7-5, 6-4 in her first-round women’s singles match Sunday at the Australian Open. The match was interrupted due to rain, with Fernandez leading 5-3 in the first set.

The 30^e top seed will face Spaniard Cristina Bucsa in the second round on Tuesday.

Fernandez defeated Starodubtseva despite recording only two aces – Starodubtseva had six – and committing six double faults, two more than her rival. The Canadian, however, managed five breaks of serve in 10 opportunities, while the Ukrainian converted three of her 11 break points.

Canadian Rebecca Marino will play her first round women’s singles match on Monday against Great Britain’s Katie Boulter.