Leylah Fernandez opens D.C. Open title defence with first-round win

Canada's Leylah Fernandez started her title defence at the D.C. Open with a straightset win over Poland's Magda Linette on Monday in Washington, D.C. The seventh seed won 61, 64 in 1 hour 19 minutes. Fernandez, from Laval, Que., won the WTA 500 hardcourt event last year for the biggest title of her career. After the match, Fernandez said she felt some pressure as the defending champion. She also noted that her season has been uneven, entering the tournament with a 1319 singles record, but said she is trying to focus on the positives and build on last year's memories. Fernandez converted five of nine break points and served two aces. She will next face the winner of Tuesday's match between Alexandra Eala of the Philippines and Zheng Qinwen in the round of 16.