(Melbourne) It wasn’t her best match, but Leylah Annie Fernandez won her first round duel at the Australian Open on Saturday.

Fernandez, the only Canadian in women’s singles for this first major tournament of the new season, won 7-6 (5), 6-2 against 17-year-old qualifier Sara Bejlek.

She won the first round in an hour, before taking the second in 31 minutes.

The Laval resident made two aces, against two double faults. She made 18 unforced errors.

For his part, Bejlek committed a double fault and 12 unforced errors.

“Sara is a very good young player,” said Fernandez, who was eliminated in the first round of the U.S. Open last year. I am very happy to have been able to play some good points in important moments. It’s a good feeling. »

Fernandez put 71% of his balls into play in the first serve, winning 33 points in that situation. She won eight service games and broke her opponent four times.

In the next round, Fernandez will face the winner of the match between Alycia Parks and Daria Snigur.