Quebec's Leylah Annie Fernandez impressed in her first-round match at the Dubai tennis tournament on Monday, easily defeating American Bernarda Pera in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.
The winner, who reached the quarter-finals in Doha last week, needed 1 hour and 19 minutes to defeat the world's 83rd ranked batter. Five breaks on eight occasions were enough for the defending champion of the 33rd level of the WTA round, who won 62.5% of the contested points.
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In the second round, Fernandez will face Italian Jasmine Paolini, 26th in the international rankings.
Additionally, the Maple Leaf athlete lowered her flag in the doubles at her first meet alongside Georgia's Oksana Kalashnikova. The duo lost 6:4, 3:6 and 11:9 against the American Sofia Kenin and the Russian Mirra Andreeva.
Raonic gives up
In the men's part of the Dubai competition, Canadian Milos Raonic announced his withdrawal from the competition.
The 33-year-old veteran was injured during his quarterfinal match at the Rotterdam tournament. He was also unable to finish the game against the Italian Jannik Sinner, who lifted the trophy in the final last Friday.
Thanks to his performance in the Netherlands, Raonic rose 87 places in the world rankings. He now occupies the 222nd level.