Leylah Fernandez of Canada plays a backhand return to Coco Gauff of the United States during a women’s singles match of the China Open tennis tournament, at the National Tennis Center, in Beijing, China, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

By The Canadian Press

Oct 20, 2025 | 9:56 PM

TOKYO — Leylah Fernandez continues to roll in Japan.

The 23-year-old from Laval, Que., who won the Japan Open in Osaka on Sunday for her fifth career singles title, defeated Maria Sakkari of Greece in the opening round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo on Monday night.

Fernandez took two hours, two minutes to beat the 30-year-old qualifier 7-6 (5), 6-4.

The Canadian finished the match with two aces, one double fault, 47 unforced errors and 32 winners. Fernandez won 58 per cent of her first serve points and 50 per cent of second serve points.

AloJapan.com