Leylah Fernandez gave Canada an excellent start in its first-ever United Cup match on Sunday in Sydney, defeating Chile’s Daniela Seguel 6-2, 6-3.
Fernandez shone once more in her national colours, putting Canada up 1-0 in its first Group B match. She needed just 73 minutes to get Canada off to a winning start in its first-ever United Cup campaign, breaking Seguel five times in their maiden match.
The 21-year-old entered the contest as the overwhelming favourite, and he performed accordingly. The 31-year-old Chilean, who reached a career-high World No.162 in 2018, had a bright spot to open the second set in her first tour-level singles match in over two years.
She broke Fernandez at love in the first game and consolidated for a 2-0 lead, but she would only win one more game in the match. Fernandez then won three straight games, followed by three more in a row to complete the triumph.
Canada will aim to seal the tie in men’s singles behind Canada’s No. 2 player in Sydney, Steven Diez, who will replace Felix Auger-Aliassime against World No.19 Nicolas Jarry.