Leylah Annie Fernandez started the victory in Olympic tennis

It is the first Olympics performance for 18-year-old Laval from Quee. Next, he plays Zarina Diyas vs. BarboraKrejcikova as the winner.

While Yastremeskacame returned to look for his rhythm in the second series, Fernandez kept his strength throughout the third. The Canadians converted three of the four breakpoints.

“I’m very happy with myself. I fought for every point … he’s a great player,” Fernandez said.

The heat of Tokyo was a struggle in itself.

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“I was trying to say to myself that I’m good. I just got to fight through it, get over that hurdle,” he said.

Fernandez played his match about 12 hours after he had walked in the opening ceremony as part of Team Canadao on Friday.

“It’s my first Olympics. I really wanted to do it for a walk, even though I was going to play the next day. I just had to be mentally prepared for the next day’s difficulties, and I think I did well,” he said.

Seeing other competitors walk proudly and confidently, he said he was inspiring him.

“It gave me more excitement to get on the field and give it my all.”

Meanwhile, Gabriela Dabrowski and Sharon Fichman lost their keys 7-6 (3), 6-4 against Brazilian Luisa Stefan and Laura Pigoss with a pair of fists.

On the men’s side, Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime from Montreal will play Andy Murraya in Sunday’s first-round match, winning gold at both the 2012 London and Rio 2012 Olympics.