Just like at the French Open earlier this year, Canada’s Leylah Fernandez has won her first two matches at Roland-Garros at the Olympics.
Fernandez, seeded 16th in women’s singles, advanced to the third round with a 7-6 (4), 6-3 win over Cristina Busca of Spain on Monday in Paris.
“I’m happy with the match. I’m happy with the way I fought,” Fernandez told reporters, per the Canadian Olympic Committee. “It wasn’t the prettiest match … But at the same time, it was a good match to play. I’m glad I kept fighting.”
The native of Laval, Que. will next face three-time Grand Slam winner Angelique Kerber. The 36-year-old German has announced she will retire after the Olympics.
Fernandez also advanced to the third round at the French Open before losing to No. 8 seed Ons Jabeur.
Fernandez also will play her opening Olympic doubles match with Gabriela Dabrowski later Monday.
Meanwhile, Canada’s Bianca Andreescu lost 6-3, 6-4 in the second round against No. 13 seed Donna Vekic of Croatia.
Andreescu appeared to hurt her thumb when her racket accidentally struck her left hand while she was serving early in the second sent. With Andreescu in obvious pain, Vekic went to check on her opponent.
The Canadian, who has been sidelined by numerous injuries since winning the U.S. Open in 2019, fought back from a break down in the second set before ultimately falling short.
Andreescu’s health will be a storyline heading into the National Bank Open next week in Toronto.
