Leylah Fernandez needed more than 2 hours to get past Kyoka Okamura in the first round of the Singapore Tennis Open on Monday. The 6-2, 6-3 scoreline hides a tough fight, as the sixth-seeded Canadian faced a qualifier who refused to go away.

Okamura, a Japanese qualifier ranked No. 322 in the world, saved three match points before Fernandez served out the win. The opening set alone lasted more than an hour and 10 minutes.

Leylah Fernandez vs. Kyoka Okamura: Break Points, Match Points and a Long Fight

The break-point numbers show how tight it was. Fernandez saved 11 of the 13 she faced, while Okamura saved 17 of the 22 she faced. That’s 35 chances in all, and every point had to be earned.

Fernandez said she and her coaches knew it would be tough. She said Okamura “brought her A game” and “didn’t give too many free points.” Fernandez said she was glad she “was able to stay tough in some tough moments.”

One rally stood out. Fernandez said Okamura hit a tweener, then answered Fernandez’s drop shot with a drop shot of her own. Fernandez called the set-ending point “one highlight for the year.”

Leylah Fernandez’s Wild Card in Singapore: Visa Issues, Gratitude and a WTA 500 Joke

Fernandez said she was “a little disappointed” she couldn’t go to São Paulo. She also mentioned “issues with the visa for a little bit.” She said Singapore was “super nice to give me a wild card,” which “really means a lot.”

This is Fernandez’s first time playing in Singapore. “I’m truly grateful,” she said, adding that the support and welcome have been “truly amazing.” She said she “just can’t wait to play our second-round match.”

Fernandez praised the organizers, directors, volunteers and staff. She said the volunteers and staff “go above and beyond what is expected, honestly.” She also said it’s “super nice that Singapore is a 500.”

She then joked that “we’ll see if it goes even a little bit higher!” and laughed. For now, the Canadian has a first-round win in the books and a second-round match ahead.