The fourth day of the WTA tournament in Hong Kong sees the last four matches of the Round of 16, culminating in an exciting lineup of tennis action. Notably, last week’s champion in Tokyo, Belinda Bencic, is set to compete, alongside rising stars Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala in what promises to be an enthralling matchup.
In one of the highlights, Himeno Sakatsume is set to face Eudice Chong. Sakatsume, currently ranked No. 228 in the world, pulled off a sensational victory against 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin with a score of 6-2, 6-1 in the previous round. This marks a pivotal moment for Sakatsume as she seeks to progress to the quarterfinals against Chong, who ranks a few hundred places lower. Despite Chong performing well in her upset against Suzan Lamens, Sakatsume’s recent performance against Kenin has positioned her as the favorite.
The next anticipated duel is between Anna Kalinskaya and Shuai Zhang, which marks their first official meeting on the court. Zhang, who recently reached the semifinals of a WTA 250 event at the Guangzhou Open, will hope to capitalize on her strong play on Asian hard courts. Kalinskaya advanced by defeating Kamilla Rakhimova in a closely contested match, preparing her well for this bout against Zhang, who excels at maintaining long rallies.
Bencic’s presence in the tournament is undoubtedly one of the main attractions, as she gears up to face Yafan Wang. With Bencic in peak form, having won her opening round in straight sets, her skill set is expected to overwhelm Wang, who will need to exhibit exceptional tenacity to compete against the Swiss.
Lastly, the showdown between Victoria Mboko and Alexandra Eala is set to capture the attention of tennis enthusiasts. Both athletes are known for their stamina and skill, making it a match filled with engaging rallies. While Mboko boasts a more powerful game, Eala’s strategic play and remarkable return ability give her the edge, particularly in responding effectively to Mboko’s second serve.
As the tournament progresses, the anticipation grows over who will emerge victorious and secure a place in the quarterfinals. Fans will surely look forward to a thrilling day of tennis, showcasing both seasoned talent and fresh potentials on the court.