Guessing game continues over Bouchard's appearance in Hong Kong Open

It's a waiting game for local organisers after it was revealed by Eugenie Bouchard's mum that her daughter has still not made up her mind to play in the WTA US$250,000 Prudential Hong Kong Open at Victoria Park next week.

"Julie Bouchard, Eugenie's mum, told us that Eugenie hasn't decided whether or not to play [in Hong Kong].

"We will not know until Sunday if she will turn up or not but I'm very hopeful and think that she will come," Herbert Chow Siu-lung, president of the Hong Kong Tennis Association, said on Thursday.

Canadian pin-up girl Bouchard has caught the world's imagination this year after reaching the semi-finals at the first three grand slam events this season including the Wimbledon final. She lost in the fourth round at the ongoing US Open after complaining of dizziness and taking an injury timeout during the game.

The world number eight was one of the first players pencilled in by organisers for the inaugural Hong Kong Open back in January. But their hold on her is weak after Chow revealed that Bouchard hadn't officially put her name on the dotted line.

"Bouchard did not sign up for the tournament as she didn't want to deal with a withdrawal deadline. She is using the WTA reserved wild card to play in Hong Kong," Chow said.

Chow denied Bouchard's agent was holding out for more appearance fee. He said: "I think she is a bit burned out after a great season this year. Also she is only 20, and she is probably listening to advice from all over the place, left, right and centre."

But hopes remain high that Bouchard will arrive here as she has also signed up to play at the US$2.4 million Premier Wuhan Open from September 21-26, one of three new WTA events on the mainland this year.