The four remaining second-round matches at the WTA Hong Kong Open will be completed on Thursday. Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin will be among those seeking a quarterfinal spot. Leylah Fernandez appears to have the sternest examination of her title defense so far as she lines up against Kimberly Birrell. Who will reach the last eight?
WTA Hong Kong Day 4 Predictions
Varvara Gracheva vs Anastasia Zakharova
Head-to-head: first meeting
There were signs of fatigue in Zakharova’s opening win over Su Jeong Jang. The 22-year-old Russian did not have time to celebrate her W100 Les Franqueses ITF title in Spain and flew straight to Hong Kong. Maybe the accumulated time spent on court in the past few weeks might take a toll on her, especially since Gracheva got a full week of rest before this tournament.
Prediction: Gracheva in 2
Suzan Lamens vs Cristina Bucsa
Head-to-head: first meeting
Lamens’ year warrants serious consideration as a contender for the WTA’s Most Improved Player award. And that stems from her sensational title run as a qualifier in Osaka. Losing early in her next tournament was expected, but she quickly wrote off that defeat to Marie Bouzkova in Guangzhou. She only dropped three games against Xinyu Gao in her opener in Hong Kong. Bucsa is not a player who thrives on searing pace coming straight at her. Lamens could be the one bossing rallies with her all-court game.
Prediction: Lamens in 3
Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet
Head-to-head: first meeting
This has been a forgettable season for Kenin. At this point, nailing a Top 100 spot is of paramount importance. And it looks like that might be the primary motive for her recent upturn in fortunes. Ponchet’s shock win against Xinyu Wang provides food for thought that she is not here to make up the numbers. But besting an in-form Kenin, who has a lot to play for before the season shuts, could be insurmountable.
Prediction: Kenin in 2
Leylah Fernandez vs Kimberly Birrell
Head-to-head: first meeting
Defending the title in Hong Kong will assure Fernandez a Top 30 year-end ranking for the first time since 2021. And she is in business mode this week and pretty much the whole of the Asian swing. She opened her campaign with a 6-2 6-2 dismissal of Heather Watson. Birrell also looked in good form in her first-round win over Ana Bogdan. The Australian will need an even better performance to upset Fernandez, who has been playing with a lot of intensity and consistency these past few weeks.
Prediction: Fernandez in 2
Main Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports
