Leylah Fernandez

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez is heading to the second round of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Fernandez, from Laval, Que, beat American Bernarda Pera 6-3, 6-2 in the opening round of the WTA Tour 1000 event on Monday.

The 33-ranked Fernandez converted on five of eight break-point opportunities against the 83-ranked Pera.

Fernandez, coming off a quarterfinal appearance at her last event in Qatar, will face world No. 26 Jasmine Paolini in the second round.

Fernandez is 3-0 lifetime against Paolini, winning all six sets.