Leylah Fernandez is back on the winning track.
Two days after losing the Ningbo Open final to world No. 1 Elena Rybakina in China, the Canadian beat Japan's Himeno Sakatsume 6-2, 6-4 in the opening round of the Japan Open on Tuesday.
Fernandez, who moved up seven spots to No. 23 in the world rankings this week, saved four of five break points against the world No. 114.
The Canadian won 71 per cent of her points on serve, well above her opponent's mark of 52 per cent.
Fernandez will next face No. 5 seed Elise Mertens of Belgium at the WTA 500 event.
Fernandez beat Mertens in three sets in the opening round of the Ningbo Open last week.
It has been a good Asian swing for Fernandez, who captured the Singapore Open title last month.
