Canada's Leylah Fernandez moves into 3rd round of National Bank Open

Leylah Fernandez knew the stakes before she stepped onto centre court.

The 23-year-old Canadian had just shared a word with her father — and co-coach — ahead of the tennis star's first match at the National Bank Open in Toronto.

Despite having yet to swing a racket in anger at the home-soil event after getting an opening-round by as the No. 30 seed, Fernandez was already the country's last hope in both the women's and men's singles draws.

The Laval, Que., product carried that torch in impressive fashion.

Fernandez fired three aces and connected on five of six break-point opportunities Wednesday to breeze past Mexico's Renata Zarazua 6-2, 6-2 in front of a partisan crowd at Sobeys Stadium.

"A little bit nerve-racking," she said. "But happy I was able to manage those nerves and enjoy the moment."

The pressure was also squarely on Fernandez's shoulders.

Auger-Aliassime out of National Bank Open after injuring back in practice

Kayla Cross of London, Ont., had been bounced by Ann Li of the United States 7-6 (2), 6-3 earlier in the day.

Toronto's Katherine Sebov lost in the second round Tuesday and 2019 winner Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., was eliminated Monday in her first match as the red-and-white women's contingent melted from eight to one in short order.

Victoria Mboko of Burlington, Ont., who captured last summer's NBO title at age 18, is sitting out this year's event because of a knee issue.

The Canadian men, meanwhile, have been cut down by injuries of their own in Montreal. Denis Shapovalov and Gabe Diallo retired from their matches Tuesday before No. 2 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime withdrew with a back problem Wednesday.

"I knew that I was the last Canadian standing," Fernandez said between bites of ice cream