Canada's Fernandez falls to No. 8-ranked Kasatkina in 1st round of San Diego Open
Montreal native loses in straight sets in match that lasted under 1 hour
Daria Kasatkina took less than an hour on Tuesday to end Leylah Fernandez's singles experience at the WTA San Diego Open.
Kasatkina was able to win 25 receiving points compared to Fernandez's 13, and the Russian served winners on 78 per cent of her first serves, compared to Fernandez's 50. The spread was even larger on second serves, with Kasatkina holding a 71-42 per cent advantage.
"Dasha is an amazing player. She's improved so much over the years," Fernandez said. "I watched her play on TV when I was still a junior. Seeing her now in the top 10 and doing so well this year is truly inspiring.
"I think today she showed how well she can play. She didn't make too many mistakes. I, unfortunately, did."
Bianca Andreescu of Mississauga, Ont., who upset red-hot Russian Liudmila Samsonova 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-2 on Monday, will play Wednesday in the round of 16.
Dabrowski earns doubles victory
The second-seeded women's doubles combo of Ottawa's Gabriela Dabrowski and Giuliana Olmos of Mexico were trailing Sabrina Santamaria of Los Angeles and partner Kaitlyn Christian of Orange, Calif., 4-2 in the first set of the round of 16 when play was suspended Tuesday night.
In earlier action Tuesday, Carol Zhao of Vaughan, Ont., and partner Rebecca Marino of Vancouver were beaten 6-2, 6-4 by Sofia Kenin of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and Samsonova in the round of 16.
This year's tournament marks the first return of the WTA to San Diego since 2015.
