Clean win for 🇨🇦 @leylahfernandez The defending champion starts her Monterrey run with a straight set win against Schmiedlova. #AbiertoGNPSeguros
It was a good day at the office for Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez, who made her return to the WTA tour with an easy win in the opening round of the Abierto GNP Seguros in Monterrey, Mexico.
The 2021 US Open runner-up had not been in action since losing in the first round of this year's Australian Open, but looked to be in fine form as she dismantled Slovakian Anna Schmiedlova. The second seed required just 68 minutes to record the 6-2 6-2 victory, breaking her opponent on five occasions.
Fernandez looked confident as she returned to Mexico to defend the title she won last year, and barely had any trouble as she broke her Slovakian opponent in the opening service game. With Schmiedlova offering little resistance, the 19-year old Canadian was able to dictate play from the baseline, much to the delight of the crowd.
The World No.21 has had some ups and downs since reaching the final of last year's US Open, and is hoping to improve on her ranking this year as the WTA season kicks off in earnest.
Clean win for 🇨🇦 @leylahfernandez The defending champion starts her Monterrey run with a straight set win against Schmiedlova. #AbiertoGNPSeguros