Leylah Fernandez cruises to Hong Kong Open quarterfinals in straight sets

Canada's Leylah Fernandez advanced to the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong Open, defeating Australia's Kimberly Birrell 6-1, 6-2 on Thursday.

Fernandez, the tournament's third seed, needed just 80 minutes to dispatch the world No. 115 on the hard court at Victoria Park Tennis Centre.

The 22-year-old from Laval, Que., dominated Birrell on serve, with a 76 per cent first-serve success rate and 75 per cent on her second serve, while committing just three double faults.

Near-perfect performance