Leylah Fernandez dropped just four games in her 6-1 6-3 win over Asia Muhammad in the first round at the Guadalajara Open. The 2021 US Open finalist set up a second round match against 13th seed Elise Mertens, who beat Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 (7-4) 6-2.
Fernandez won two consecutive titles in Monterrey in 2021 and 2022 and reached the final in Acapulco in 2020 in her previous appearances at Mexican tournaments.
Taylor Townsend edged past Australian wild card Ajla Tomljanovic 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 to set up a second round match against Belinda Bencic. The Swiss player beat her US rival in their only previous head-to-head match in Charleston in 2019.
Sloane Stephens overcame qualifier Ann Li Fernandez 7-5 6-4. Stephens won the WTA 250 tournament in Guadalajara.
Alica Parks hit 11 aces in her 6-3 6-2 win over Lauren Davis setting up a match against top seed Ons Jabeur.
Eugenie Bouchard beat Renata Zarazua 6-1 7-6 (7-4) setting up a second round match against Veronika Kudemertova.
Cristina Bucsa cruised past former world number 10 Kristina Mladenovic.
