Disappointment for Routliffe in Australian Open debut

New Zealand’s Erin Routliffe and her Canadian doubles partner Leylah Fernandez have been swept aside in straight sets by their Australian opponents in their first round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Routliffe and Fernandez had high hopes of a god run after reaching the third round at the US Open together last September. But they were outclassed on the day by Australian wildcards Lizette Cabrera and Priscilla Hon who won 6-3 6-1 in 59 minutes.

Fernandez who reached the US Open singles final last year, couldn’t hold serve in the first set as the Australian pair took control and converted three of their five break point chances. Routliffe and Fernandez took just one of five chances to break.

It was more of the same in the second set as first Fernandez then Routliffe were broken as Hon and Fernandez shot out to a 4-0 second set lead. Fernandez finally held serve but it was too little too late and Routliffe was broken for the second time to lose the match. Routliffe will now turn her attention to the mixed doubles where she will partner Michael Venus.