Leylah Fernandez holds off Japanese qualifier in Singapore, advancing to Round 2

Canada's Leylah Fernandez is through to the second round of the Singapore Tennis Open following a 6-2, 6-3 win over Japan's Kyoka Okamura on Monday.

Fernandez, who is seeded sixth at the WTA 500 event, was challenged by the Japanese qualifier more than the scoreline suggested, as the match took two hours 19 minutes to complete.

The first set contained a total of 23 deuce points, with Fernandez defending 11 of 12 break points faced while converting three of 12.

Fernandez outaced her 30-year-old opponent 4-0.

The 24-year-old from Laval, Que., will next face the winner of a match between American Alycia Parks and Japan's Mei Yamaguchi. Fernandez entered the tournament ranked No. 31 in the world.