(4 October 2024, HONG KONG) World-ranked No.78 Anna Blinkova served up a storm to blow away tournament top-seed and world No.8 Emma Navarro in the quarterfinal of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 this evening.

After dispatching former world No.1 Simona Halep in the previous round, the 26-year-old blasted past a clearly unsettled Navarro who, despite brief glimpses of the play that had rocketed her up the world rankings this year, had no real answer to the powerful first service and groundstrokes of her in-form opponent.

Despite surviving two earlier match points, Navarro was finally felled 6-4, 6-3, with Blinkova hardly putting a foot wrong all evening as she saved 10 of 13 break points to thwart Navarro of any comeback.

Earlier, the quarterfinal match-up between tournament fifth-seed McCartney Kessler and former world No.32 Ajla Tomljanović ended disappointingly early in the second set after the American was forced to retire with an injury. After a slow start, going 0-3 down, Tomljanović, the only non-seed now left in the singles competition, then won six games in a row from a clearly uncomfortable Kessler, to snatch the opening set 6-3.

In contrast, fourth-seed Varvara Gracheva had a much tougher passage into the tournament semifinals with a battling win over Suzan Lamens. Ripping a backhand down-the-line winner to win the second set tiebreak 7-6(5) to even the game at a set apiece after losing the first set 4-6 to Lamens, Gracheva then produced the lone break in the ninth game, before serving out the third set for a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 quarterfinal victory.

In earlier Court 1 action, tournament sixth seed Clara Tauson dominated with her own service game, while breaking Nao Hibino five times in all to register a commanding 6-1, 6-1 victory in progressing to the semifinals.

Attention then turned to the doubles semifinal, which featured an all-Japan matchup between Nao Hibino and partner Makoto Ninomiya, paired against Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi. Hibino and Ninomiya progressed to the finals on Sunday with a 7-5, 6-1 win.

Prior to the final Navarro and Blinkova game of the day, President of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, Mr. Michael Cheng introduced and welcomed WTA CEO Ms. Portia Archer to the assembled Centre Court crowd. Visiting Hong Kong for the first time in her new WTA executive role, she presented him with a special WTA Certificate, officially recognizing the inaugural Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125.

Saturday’s action commences on Centre Court with the second doubles semifinal featuring Ulrikke Eikeri and Wu Fang-Hsien facing Monica Niculescu and Elena-Gabriela Ruse. Varvara Gracheva then takes on Clara Tauson in the first of two semifinal encounters, followed by Blinkova facing-off against Ajla Tomljanović.

Off-court, Simona Halep took the opportunity today to soak up some Hong Kong culture during a sightseeing trip today which included a visit to nearby Lin Fa Kung temple (Temple of Lotus) in Tai Hang. Simona made a traditional Cantonese prayer offering to Kwun Yum, the Goddess of Mercy. This week’s clear crowd favourite then made lucky Hong Kong tennis fans’ wishes come true by returning to Victoria Park Tennis Stadium to sign autographs.

The inaugural Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 runs from 30 September through to 6 October and is being held at the iconic Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. Tickets are still available, with pricing ranging from HK$100 to HK$400 for finals day. For tournament and ticketing details, please visit: https://www.hktennisopen.hk/en/wta125/

Those unable to attend in person can still enjoy all the thrills and spills of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 games online at WTA Unlocked, a free streaming platform for fans to watch all WTA 125 tournaments live. Join WTA Unlocked for free at www.wtatennis.com/unlocked.

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Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125 daily recap 4 Oct