Chinese qualifier Guo Hanyu defeated Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-3 in the women's singles first round at the Canadian Open in Montreal on Monday, securing the first Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour win of her career.

Guo has been famous as a doubles player after winning five tour titles but hasn't achieved much in the singles event. She played most singles matches in International Tennis Federation (ITF) competitions and qualified for the main draw at the Canadian Open after knocking out Mihaela Buzarnescu Romania 6-0, 6-0.

World No. 43 Putintseva had clinched six straight wins over players from Chinese mainland but Guo put an end to her winning streak by capitalizing the opponent's mistakes and responding with solid attacks and defense.

The victory lifted Guo's live WTA rankings to No. 211. She will face second-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland in the second round.