Former U.S. Open finalist Leylah Fernandez got off to a blazing start against Varvara Gracheva and held on as the match tightened down the stretch to earn a 6-0, 3-6, 7-5 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals at the Pan Pacific Open on Wednesday.

"She was getting better and better as the match went on," Fernandez said. “I tried to just stay positive as much as possible.”

Japanese teenager Sayaka Ishii also advanced, defeating Zeynep Sonmez 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.