Canada's Leylah Fernandez tops Zhang to advance to second round of U.S. Open

Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns the ball to Zhang Shuai, of China, during the first round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

NEW YORK — Canada’s Leylah Fernandez is on to the second round of the U.S. Open.

The Laval, Que., native defeated China’s Shuai Zhang 6-3, 6-2 in opening-round women’s singles action on Sunday.

Fernandez had four aces to three double faults and converted three of her seven break-point chances.

She also saved all seven of Zhang’s break-point opportunities.

Zhang was held without an ace and had one double fault.

Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., was scheduled to face Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic later Sunday.