Leylah Annie Fernandez dominated her first-round matchup at the US Open, moving past fellow Canadian Rebecca Marino 6-2, 6-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Fernandez, the No. 31 seed, needed just over an hour to advance to the second round, where she will battle the winner of Marie Bouzkova and Elsa Jacquemot.
The 22-year-old came flying out of the gates, recording a pair of holds and breaking Marino on her first two service games to take a 4-0 lead in the first set. Marino, a native of Vancouver, B.C., began to fight back, breaking Fernandez for the first time and earning a quick hold on serve to claw back to 4-2.
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Unfortunately for the 34-year-old, she was unable to capitalize on a glorious chance to get back into the match, as Fernandez fought off a pair of break points before breaking Marino for the third time to take the first set 6-2.
Fernandez quickly took control of the second set, breaking Marino for the fourth time to go up 2-0. Things stayed on serve in the set until Fernandez completed her fifth and final break of the match to go up 5-1. She would close out the match on her next service game to book her ticket to the second round.
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Marino had her chances throughout the match, but converted just one of five break chances. On the other hand, Fernandez converted on all five of her break points.
The former US Open finalist, who won the Citi Open in late July, is trying to get back on track after losing three of her past four matches prior to Sunday’s victory.
Marino reached the main draw after defeating Lanlana Tararudee, Mai Hontama, and Dominika Salkova in qualifying.
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