Leylah Fernandez Advances to Australian Open Second Round

MELBOURNE, Australia — Canadian tennis star Leylah Fernandez secured her place in the second round of the Australian Open on Sunday, defeating Ukraine‘s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4. The match, which began Saturday but was interrupted by rain, resumed Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The 30th-seeded Fernandez, a Montreal native and 2021 U.S. Open finalist, overcame a challenging performance that included six double faults and only two aces. However, she capitalized on five of 10 break-point opportunities, while Starodubtseva converted just three of 11. Fernandez will next face Spain‘s Cristina Bucsa on Tuesday.

“It was worth the wait,” Fernandez said after the match. Despite the rain delay, she maintained her focus to clinch the victory. The win marks a strong start to her 2025 season, following her participation in the United Cup in Perth earlier this month.

In other action, top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus began her quest for a third consecutive Australian Open title with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 win over Sloane Stephens. Sabalenka, who has won 15 straight matches at hard-court majors, is aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis (1997-99) to achieve a three-peat at the tournament.

Fifth-seeded Qinwen Zheng of China also advanced, overcoming a tough first set to defeat Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni 7-6 (3), 6-1. Zheng, last year’s runner-up and the reigning Olympic gold medalist, saved three set points in the opening set.

Elsewhere, 11th-seeded Paula Badosa of Spain, 14th-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia, and 18th-seeded Donna Vekic of Croatia each secured straight-set victories. Denmark‘s Clara Tauson rallied to defeat 29th-seeded Linda Niskova of the Czech Republic 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

On the men’s side, world No. 2 Alexander Zverev of Germany advanced with a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win over France‘s Lucas Pouille. Zverev, seeking his first major title, fired 18 aces in the match.

The Australian Open, which began on January 6 with qualifying rounds, will conclude on January 26. Fernandez’s next match against Bucsa will be closely watched as she continues her campaign in the year’s first Grand Slam.