Defending champion Leylah Fernandez is off to a strong start in Hong Kong.
The Canadian, seeded third, downed Heather Watson of Great Britain 6-2, 6-2 in a first-round match at the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Tuesday.
It was Fernandez's first win against Watson, ranked 139th in the world, in four career matches.
Fernandez, from Laval, Que., fired four aces and saved four of five break points. She also converted five of seven break-point opportunities.
Ranked 32nd in the world, Fernandez will next face world No. 206 Kimberly Birrell of Australia in the Round of 16.
Fernandez is coming off a run to the quarterfinals at a tournament in Tokyo.
