Fernandez and Mboko Clash in All-Canadian Hong Kong Semifinal

At the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, Leylah Fernandez and Sorana Cirstea delivered a thrilling quarterfinal match. The match concluded with Fernandez, the No. 2 seed, triumphing over Cirstea, the No. 7 seed, with a score of 6-4, 6-4. This victory, achieved in 1 hour and 44 minutes, set the stage for an exciting all-Canadian semifinal between Fernandez and Victoria Mboko.

Fernandez vs. Cirstea: Quarterfinal Highlights

Fernandez demonstrated her remarkable skills as she engaged in a fiercely contested battle with Cirstea. After initially breaking Cirstea’s serve late in the first set, she maintained her momentum into the second. Fernandez raced to a 4-0 lead, but Cirstea, known for her tenacity, fought back, winning three consecutive games to close the gap to 5-4. Despite the challenge, Fernandez kept her composure and sealed the match with a stunning backhand winner.

Quotes from the Match

Reflecting on her performance, Fernandez stated, “She always fights and she’s super aggressive, so I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I was playing really well and then I found a couple of mistakes, but she stepped it up.” This victory marks Fernandez’s third consecutive semifinal appearance in Hong Kong and her third semifinal of the 2025 season, a promising trend as she aims for another title.

Mboko Advances to Semifinals

Victoria Mboko, the No. 1 seed, moved into the semifinals after Anna Kalinskaya retired during their quarterfinal match due to illness. At the time of the retirement, Mboko was leading 6-1, 3-1. This match represented Mboko’s second career WTA semifinal and her second of the year.

Other Matches and Withdrawals

• Belinda Bencic, the tournament’s top seed, withdrew due to a left thigh injury.
• Cristina Bucsa advanced to the semifinals following Bencic’s withdrawal.
• Maya Joint also reached the semifinals after defeating Himeno Sakatsume in a three-set battle.

All-Canadian Semifinal Showdown

The upcoming semifinal between Fernandez and Mboko represents a significant clash in Canadian tennis. Although the ranking distinction will not be on the line, both players will vie for a coveted spot in the final and the chance to conclude their seasons on a high note. This match will mark their first career meeting, as previous matchups were postponed. The anticipation builds as fans await an exhilarating showdown.