Shnaider set Fernandez clash, Boulter to meet Yuan in Hong Kong last four

The silverware showdown is well within reach at the WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024 with a stellar semifinals Saturday on offer at Victoria Park.

Top seed Diana Shnaider, one of the players of the season, takes on the defending champion Leylah Fernandez.

On top of that, No.2 seed Katie Boulter will look to continue her rich vein of form in a final four bout with world No.45 Yuan Yue.

Shnaider, who needed three sets to hurdle Suzan Lamens in the quarterfinals, has already lifted three WTA titles in 2024, hence her sharp ranking rise up to a career-high No.14.

Fernandez claimed the victory in both previous duels, with 6-1, 6-4 on the Cincinnati scoreboard back in August, prior to a thrilling 6-7(7), 6-3, 6-3 win last month in Wuhan.

“Of course, it will come into my mind that I’ve lost to her twice,” admitted Shnaider. “Leylah has the experience in matches like this.

“She’s an unusual player, playing very close to the baseline and cutting your time. She’s moving like crazy, she’s stepping in, playing very aggressive, coming into the net. It’s going to be very tough, she knows it’s going to be tough.

“It’s a semifinal, we both want to win, I just need to keep my energy positive to show my best.”

Over to Fernandez, who defeated Bernarda Pera 6-1, 7-6(7) on Friday evening, for her pre-semifinals thoughts.

First up on Centre Court is a sensational starter on the menu with No.2 seed Boulter and No.6 seed Yuan reunited. Rewind to the Australian Open 10 months ago and Boulter clinched a 7-5, 7-6(1) triumph over Yuan, a clash that both players remember well.