Fernandez Advances to Hong Kong Quarterfinals as WTA Action Intensifies

Post by : Mara Rahim

Canada’s second seed Leylah Fernandez advanced at the Hong Kong Tennis Open, defeating Germany’s Eva Lys 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday. The 22-year-old closed the match in 68 minutes, conceding just one break point as a steady serve and aggressive returns kept Lys on the back foot.

Fernandez now meets No. 7 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania in the quarterfinals. Cirstea recovered from a first-set loss to beat Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, demonstrating veteran resolve. The upcoming tie looks set to be a tactical contest between two powerful baseliners.

Spain’s Cristina Bucsa also reached the last eight with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over No. 8 seed Emiliana Arango of Colombia. Australia’s Maya Joint progressed as well, defeating Slovakia’s Viktoria Morvayova 6-1, 6-4, consolidating a competitive quarterfinal line-up in Hong Kong.

In Jiujiang, Switzerland’s second seed Viktorija Golubic battled into the Jiangxi Open quarterfinals after a dramatic 6-0, 4-6, 7-5 win over Russia’s Elena Pridankina. The 2-hour 42-minute match featured 13 combined double faults; Golubic showed resilience by saving 24 of 29 break points and converting eight of 16 break chances.

By contrast, Kazakhstan’s No. 5 seed Yulia Putintseva recorded a routine 6-2, 6-0 victory over China’s Wushuang Zheng in 64 minutes and is set to face Golubic next. Germany’s Tamara Korpatsch recovered from a set down to defeat Ella Seidel 3-6, 6-0, 6-1, while Austria’s Lilli Tagger upset Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-4, 6-2 to reach the quarters.

After two days of rain interruptions, play resumed at the Chennai Open. Top seed Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey opened with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Russia’s Tatiana Prozorova, steadying after a slow start and taking the key points as action returned to the local courts.

Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi led 5-7, 6-0, 1-0 when England’s No. 2 seed Francesca Jones retired due to injury. Poland’s Katarzyna Kawa produced one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating Italy&rsquos No. 5 seed Lucia Bronzetti. Croatia’s No. 3 seed Donna Vekic advanced comfortably, beating India’s Vaishnavi Adkar 6-1, 6-2.

Indonesia’s No. 4 seed Janice Tjen prevailed in a taxing three-set match against Germany’s Caroline Werner, winning 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2. Australia’s No. 7 Kimberly Birrell rallied from a first-set loss to defeat Czech teenager Nikola Bartunkova 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, with both contests highlighting players’ mental toughness.

This week’s WTA schedule has highlighted the depth across women’s tennis, with younger competitors producing significant results. Fernandez’s current form, Golubic’s perseverance and Sonmez’s composed start illustrate the circuit’s competitiveness as tournaments move into later stages.

With Hong Kong, Jiangxi and Chennai progressing toward the quarterfinals, the weekend promises high-stakes matchups. Fernandez is among the frontrunners in Hong Kong while Golubic, Putintseva and Sonmez remain key names to watch as they chase tournament honours.