Day 1 Wrap | Fernandez on fire on opening day of the ASB Classic

It was Tennis 101 Leylah Fernandez-style on the opening day of the ASB Classic.

The Canadian third-seed wasted no time in disposing of 15-year-old wildcard Brenda Fruhvirtova (CZE) in straight sets 6-1 6-1 in 1hr and 01mins on centre-court.

Earlier the match was delayed 45 minutes when rain stopped play at the ASB Tennis Arena and then the first round clash lasted a marathon 2h45min.

The US Open runner-up took the court shortly before 7pm but turned up the heat in a super-impressive display to sound a clear warning of her intentions in front of the sell-out crowd on day one.

She volleyed hard and with precision to give the young Czech wildcard no chance of getting into the game in just her fourth start in a WTC 250 event.

Earlier 28-year-old Lin Zhu from China outlasted American No 6 seed Madison Brengle in a three and a half hour marathon, including the rain break.

Brengle used her guile to win the first set 6-4 and had the chance to seal it but lost the second-set tiebreak. Zhu was able to convert on Brengle’s second serve in the decider despite a late comeback by the American, winning 4-6 7-6 6-4.

And late in the night, with a 30 minute rain break in the middle, the big crowds stayed on to support the great Venus Williams who prevailed over compatriot and qualifier Katie Volynets 7-5 6-1.

Williams, who has played precious-little competition tennis “for a few years” was delighted to make her way into the second round, overcoming the rain break which plainly annoyed the Grand Slam winner.

She produced some stunning, hard-hit and accurate backhands from the back of the court to edge out fellow American Katie Volynets 7-6 6-2.

“This is one of my favourite places to come and I was so excited that I made it here. It is so great to be back and thank you for staying so late and I am glad that I managed to get a win,” Williams said.

“I was so mad at the rain break. It is hard to stop in the middle when you are all fired and suddenly you have to stop.

“I still love it and I think I can still be competitive.”

Eight-seed Rebecca Marino from Canada accounted for Hungary’s Dalma Galfi in straight sets, while qualifier Ysalina Bonaventure (BEL) came back to beat American Caty McNally 5-7 6-4 6-4 and Belgian qualifier came back after losing the opening set to beat American Caty McNally 5-7 6-4 6-4.

Both early doubles sent to the third-set super tiebreak with Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjaidi winning the decider 10-7 while Ingrid Gamara Martins and Ingrid Neal beat third seeded Americans Sophie Chang and Angela Kulikov 10-6.

The pairing of Latisha Chan and Alexa Guarachi were too strong for Nao Hibano and Olivia Tjandramulia 5-7 6-1.

And there were no late cheers for kiwi Erin Routliffe and partner Caroline Dolehide (USA), the top seeds, who were beaten 5-7 4-6 by Fernandez Contreras Gomez and Catherine Harrison in their rain affected match which finished at 11.40pm.