Fernandez Outlasts Alexandrova as Tauson Retires in Wuhan

Leylah Fernandez had lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in three of their four meetings, and their last two had gone the distance. The third set went her way this time. Fernandez, the recently crowned Singapore champion, beat Alexandrova 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Center Court as the main draw of the Wuhan Open opened overnight, reaching the second round of the season’s last WTA 1000 event after losing her first match in Beijing, where Alexandrova reached the quarterfinals. The left-hander from Canada, ranked #26, plays Han Shi next.

Clara Tauson’s stay was brief. Marie Bouzkova won the first set 6-1 on Court 1 and led 2-0 in the second when Tauson retired. The Dane, a third-rounder here last year as the #10 seed, has struggled with a back injury this season and arrived ranked #42. No reason for the retirement was given. Bouzkova, whose counterpunching has carried her into Wuhan in form, advances after losing a single game.