(Charleston) Quebecer Leylah Fernandez beat Russian Evgeniya Rodina 6-3, 6-2 on Tuesday to advance to the second round of the Charleston Open.
Ranked 51st in the WTA, Fernandez signed the victory in an hour and a quarter ahead of Rodina, 330th.
The 20-year-old Lavalloise had the upper hand 4-1 for breaks and 3-1 for aces.
Her next rival will be 12th seeded Paula Badosa.
The 25-year-old Spaniard made it to the semi-finals of the tournament in 2021.
She and Fernandez have never crossed swords.
On Sunday, Fernandez and Taylor Townsend were defeated in the doubles final in Miami, 7-6, 6-2 by Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.
Toronto’s Katherine Sebov is also in the second round, having beaten Lauren Davis on Monday.
