Leylah Fernandez upset by unseeded American Peyton Stearns in 1st round of China Open

Leylah Fernandez, of Laval, Que., is out of the China Open after being upset by American Peyton Stearns on Friday in Beijing.

The unseeded Stearns, a 22-year-old from Cincinnati, took down the 20th-seed Fernandez in straight sets, 7-5, 6-2, in the Round of 64 in Beijing.

Fernandez, 22, committed five double faults and landed just 48 per cent of her first serves.

WATCH l Fernandez ousted in straight sets at China Open:

Stearns made 61.8 per cent of her first serves and kept the Canadian on her heels for much of the match, converting five of 14 breakpoint opportunities.

It's the third consecutive early exit for Fernandez, whose last singles win was a Round-of-16 victory over Diana Shnaider of Russia at the Cincinnati Open on Aug. 16.

Stearns will face Russia's Anna Kalinskaya in the next round.