MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Past U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez was among the first players to advance at the first 15-day Australian Open, which began on a Sunday for the first time.
The 32nd-seeded Fernandez beat 17-year-old Sara Bejlek 7-6 (5), 6-2 to reach the second round at Melbourne Park. Bejlek was making her debut in the main draw of a Grand Slam event.
“Sara is a very good young player," said Fernandez, who was ousted in the first round last year at the U.S. Open. "I’m super-happy I was able to play some good points in important moments. It feels good.”
Andre Agassi, who won the last of his four Australian titles in 2003, joined Evonne Goolagong Cawley to carry the trophies into the tennis complex before play began on the first of the tournament’s three Sundays.
Tournament organizers are honoring Goolagong Cawley on the 50th anniversary of the first of her four Australian Open titles in 1974. She also won Wimbledon twice and the French Open once.
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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis
