Ranked 35th, she got her country off to a perfect start in its Group B match in Sydney, beating Chilean Daniela Seguel 6-2, 6-3 in 73 minutes.
In the absence of Canadian number one Félix Auger-Aliassime from the men's singles, number 314 Steven Diez advanced but was defeated by world number 19 Nicolas Jarry 7-5, 6-4.
It was a decisive mixed doubles match, with Fernandez teaming up with Diez to beat Seguel and Tomas Barrios Vera 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.
“I'm really happy with the way I played,” said Fernandez, who was part of the Canadian team that won the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time this year.
The 21-year-old broke five times in her singles match against a player in her first singles match at the WTA Tour level in almost two years, using serve and volley tactics well.
“The first game of the season made me nervous, but happy with how I was able to handle it,” he said. AFP PHOTO/David Gray
(CDE)
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