Leylah Fernandez got off to a strong start at the Australian Open, beating Ukrainian Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-5, 6-4 to enter the second round at Melbourne Park.
The 31st-ranked player in the world had to deal with a rain delay that pushed the opening-day matches until later in the evening.
“I am definitely a person who sets goals, as does our family. We always set goals at the beginning of the year. For me, it is to finish the year healthy. That is always important,” Fernandez said after the match. “Then, in terms of results, it would be to finish in the top ten by the end of the year. Also, to consistently reach the second week in Grand Slams and WTA 1000 tournaments”.
Fernandez will take on the winner of the match between Spain’s Cristina Bucsa and French wildcard Chloe Paquet.
