Leylah Fernandez’s winning streak in Japan continues as she secured a victory against Maria Sakkari of Greece during the opening round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The 23-year-old Canadian triumphed over the 30-year-old qualifier in a match lasting two hours and two minutes, with a score of 7-6 (5), 6-4. Throughout the game, Fernandez managed two aces, one double fault, 47 unforced errors, and 32 winners. Her first serve points won stood at 58%, while she won 50% of her second serve points. Fernandez saved six out of 11 break points and capitalized on six out of 10 break points.
In a separate match, Victoria Mboko of Toronto emerged victorious against Bianca Andreescu from Mississauga, winning 6-3, 6-3 in a battle of Ontario players. The game lasted 73 minutes, with Andreescu committing 19 unforced errors, while Mboko had 18. Mboko showcased three double faults, one ace, and 21 winners. The Toronto player won 77% of her first serve points and 50% of her second serve points while securing three out of eight return games.
Denis Shapovalov progressed to the second round of the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament by defeating Marcos Giron of the United States in a tight match with a score of 6-7 (3), 6-0, 7-6 (4). Despite facing five double faults, the 26-year-old Canadian delivered 13 aces and converted five out of eight break-point opportunities. Giron, on the other hand, only managed to break Shapovalov twice out of seven chances. Shapovalov, who recently reached the semifinals at the Stockholm Open, extended his head-to-head record against Giron to 2-3. Next, the ninth-seeded Shapovalov is set to play against lucky loser Valentin Royer of France, whom he defeated earlier this year at the U.S. Open.
Upcoming action at the ATP 500 tournament includes a highly anticipated match between Montreal’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, seeded fifth, and Gabriel Diallo in an all-Montreal showdown on Wednesday.
