https://www.scmp.com/rss/323064/feed The WTA250 event returns to the city for the first time in several years in 2023. It will be held at Victoria Park between October 7th and 15th. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Paul McNamara Paul McNamara With her magnetic personality, easy smile and nerveless shot-making, Joanna Garland earned a horde of new admirers on her run to the final of this month’s novelty One Point Slam in Australia. The women’s world No 117, who was born in England to Taiwanese parents, Garland is “incredibly grateful” she had the opportunity to compete in the sudden-death competition, ahead of the Australian Open. However, her victims included Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios, and the 24-year-old is “sure many good... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341779/uk-family-struggles-mean-taiwans-garland-not-over-losing-au1-million-aussie-amateur?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3341779/uk-family-struggles-mean-taiwans-garland-not-over-losing-au1-million-aussie-amateur?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Fast-rising Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko has been racking up a lot of firsts in recent months – including winning the Hong Kong Open – with a clash against the top seed on centre court at a grand slam tournament only the latest. The 19-year-old came through a gripping battle with Denmark’s Clara Tauson 7-6, 5-7, 6-3 on Friday to make the last 16 on her Australian Open debut. It set up a blockbuster showdown on Sunday with world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka – who beat Russian-born Anastasia Potapova... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340965/australian-open-hong-kong-champ-victoria-mboko-books-sabalenka-clash-alcaraz-gauff-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3340965/australian-open-hong-kong-champ-victoria-mboko-books-sabalenka-clash-alcaraz-gauff-win?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:30:34 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Victoria Mboko won the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Sunday, beating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in a thrilling final that needed three sets and almost three hours to decide the winner. Despite losing a 20-point tiebreak in a tight second set, the Canadian claimed the second title of her season at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, downing Bucsa in a match where both players pushed each other to the absolute limit on centre court. The title could have gone to either player, as they shared 25 break... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3331216/hong-kong-tennis-open-china-pair-jiang-xinyu-wang-yafan-take-doubles-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3331216/hong-kong-tennis-open-china-pair-jiang-xinyu-wang-yafan-take-doubles-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 07:14:38 +0000 Tom Bell Tom Bell Cristina Bucsa had it all her own way while Victoria Mboko was forced to fight a friend for supremacy as each booked a place in the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday. Mboko, 19, looked to be heading out of the tournament when under assault from a laser-focused Leylah Fernandez in an all-Canadian encounter at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. Flying at a set and 2-1 up in a high-quality second semi-final, Fernandez called for the physiotherapist before returning to the fray... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3331165/hong-kong-tennis-open-spains-bucsa-final-awaits-winner-fernandez-v-mboko?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3331165/hong-kong-tennis-open-spains-bucsa-final-awaits-winner-fernandez-v-mboko?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:16:38 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Maya Joint booked a Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open semi-final showdown with Cristina Bucsa after a mid-match “mental reset” helped her overcome surprise package Himeno Sakatsume in three sets on Friday. Victoria Mboko then joined her in the last four after her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, withdrew because of illness when trailing 6-1, 3-1. She will play fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who overcame Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4 in the day’s final match. Russian Kalinskaya’s movement was inhibited... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3331025/prudential-hong-kong-open-thigh-injury-forces-top-seed-bencic-pull-out-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3331025/prudential-hong-kong-open-thigh-injury-forces-top-seed-bencic-pull-out-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 05:44:57 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Canada’s Victoria Mboko broke hundreds of Filipino fans’ hearts at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday, as she battled back from a set down to knock out Alexandra Eala and progress to the quarter-finals. The world No 21’s victory came despite most of the crowd inside Victoria Park Tennis Stadium roaring on the young Philippine player in an epic second-round match that lasted two hours and 27 minutes. The tie started at full throttle, with Eala winning three games in a row in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3330906/hong-kong-tennis-open-last-chinese-players-shown-door-top-seed-bencic-progresses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3330906/hong-kong-tennis-open-last-chinese-players-shown-door-top-seed-bencic-progresses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:29:44 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Maya Joint has one eye on a seeded berth at the Australian Open as she looks to continue her march through the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday. After being forced to dig in to defeat Anastasija Sevastova in a three-setter in which she was a set and a break down before a rain delay on Monday, Joint had a much smoother time against Viktoria Morvayova on Wednesday, progressing in straight sets. The 19-year-old Australian, who came to Hong Kong ranked 32nd in the world, needs to at least... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330870/hong-kong-tennis-open-maya-joint-eyes-another-title-and-australian-grand-slam-seeding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330870/hong-kong-tennis-open-maya-joint-eyes-another-title-and-australian-grand-slam-seeding?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:47:06 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After surviving a Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open second-round epic against Ajla Tomljanovic on Wednesday, Sorana Cirstea said her love for the sport had persuaded her to continue for an astonishing 21st season on the WTA Tour. Cirstea, who will meet 2023 champion Leylah Fernandez in Friday’s quarter-finals, had originally planned to retire at the end of this year. Currently ranked world No 45, the 35-year-old Romanian won her second career tour title in Cleveland in August, before a run to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330805/hong-kong-open-tennis-passion-convinces-sorana-cirstea-reverse-retirement-decision?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330805/hong-kong-open-tennis-passion-convinces-sorana-cirstea-reverse-retirement-decision?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 22:00:16 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Leylah Fernandez delivered the performance of the tournament at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Wednesday, shutting down Ukrainian-born German Eva Lys 6-4, 6-1. The match-up was the first time two top-50 players had graced Victoria Park Tennis Stadium’s centre court at the same time at this year’s Open, but any signs it would be a close affair were quickly dispelled, as Fernandez took down Lys in one hour and eight minutes. After the match, Canadian Fernandez said she went into the match... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330812/hong-kong-open-purposeful-former-champion-leylah-fernandez-makes-short-work-eva-lys?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330812/hong-kong-open-purposeful-former-champion-leylah-fernandez-makes-short-work-eva-lys?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:10:25 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer The 2023 Prudential Hong Kong Open champion Leylah Fernandez got her tournament off to a winning start on Tuesday when she beat China’s Wang Xiyu in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4. Fernandez, ranked world No 22, dispatched Wang in one hour and 25 minutes on centre court at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium and said the evening’s match was a lesson in staying focused. The 23-year-old Canadian was just one of a number of the tournament’s biggest names in action on Tuesday, with No 1 seed Belinda Bencic of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330668/hong-kong-open-staying-focused-key-holder-leylah-fernandez-she-beats-wang-xiyu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330668/hong-kong-open-staying-focused-key-holder-leylah-fernandez-she-beats-wang-xiyu?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:10:52 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Hundreds of fans in the stands erupted into cheers as Hong Kong tennis player Eudice Chong beat Suzan Lamens of the Netherlands in straight sets to notch up the first main-draw win of her career at the Prudential Hong Kong Open on Tuesday. The 6-3, 6-4 win at the Victoria Park Tennis Court was a memorable one for Chong after losing three straight first-round matches at Causeway Bay between 2018 and 2024. Hongkonger Chong had recorded only one qualifying win in the city in her five outings since... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330658/hong-kong-open-eudice-chong-upsets-suzan-lamens-first-main-draw-win-her-career?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330658/hong-kong-open-eudice-chong-upsets-suzan-lamens-first-main-draw-win-her-career?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:11:42 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Ajla Tomljanovic has revealed she receives “disgusting and scary” online abuse every day, and that social media companies have dismissed her complaints. The Australian said she tried not to read the messages, but succumbed in “moments when I want to torture myself”. Tomljanovic, a three-time grand slam quarter-finalist, is set for a Prudential Hong Kong Open second-round clash with seventh-seeded Sorana Cirstea of Romania. The 32-year-old, who has had “death wished on my family” by anonymous... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330575/australian-tennis-ace-ajla-tomljanovic-speaks-out-disgusting-and-scary-online-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330575/australian-tennis-ace-ajla-tomljanovic-speaks-out-disgusting-and-scary-online-abuse?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:30:09 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara After winning her 10th career title and celebrating with an airport McDonald’s meal on Sunday, Belinda Bencic jetted into Hong Kong at 4am the following morning on the hunt for more success. Swiss Bencic claimed the Pan Pacific Open title in Tokyo to continue her love affair with the city where she won Olympic singles gold in 2021. The 28-year-old No 1 seed, who returned to the tour last October, six months after giving birth to her first child, will begin her Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330520/hong-kong-open-top-seed-belinda-bencic-fuelled-mcdonalds-and-hunger-more-success?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330520/hong-kong-open-top-seed-belinda-bencic-fuelled-mcdonalds-and-hunger-more-success?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:02:40 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Wang Yafan was forced to dig deep to fend off a spirited challenge from Maddison Inglis and advance to the second round of the Hong Kong Open tennis tournament on Monday. In a two-hour 47-minute marathon that ebbed and flowed, the 31-year-old used all her reserves to come out on top 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, though it was far from a simple success. Wang wasted little time getting into the ascendancy on centre court at Victoria Park, breaking Inglis in the Australian’s second service game before holding... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330500/chinas-wang-yafan-survives-near-three-hour-marathon-advance-hong-kong-open-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3330500/chinas-wang-yafan-survives-near-three-hour-marathon-advance-hong-kong-open-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:54:49 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Stars of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open joined Judy Murray for an outreach programme on Sunday, where they spent the day giving back to the local community and coaching children with special educational needs (SEN). Murray, the mother of former world No 1 and three-time grand slam winner Andy Murray, takes the WTA Come Play programme, which aims to make tennis more accessible, to cities that feature on the tour. She was joined by Germany’s world No 50 player Eva Lys, China’s Li Na and 2023... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330357/tennis-stars-fernandez-lys-give-hong-kong-children-introduction-game-they-love?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330357/tennis-stars-fernandez-lys-give-hong-kong-children-introduction-game-they-love?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 26 Oct 2025 07:36:15 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Hong Kong tennis player Maggie Ng Man-ying came close to pulling off a huge upset in the first qualifying round of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday, before bowing out 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 to Lu Jiajing, who is ranked more than 1,000 places above her. Wild card Ng was up 4-1 in the final set after securing an early break, but could only watch as Lu turned the tie on its head, winning the match on centre court at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium in two hours and one minute. Ng usually plays... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330311/prudential-hong-kong-open-wild-card-ng-within-moments-shock-win-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3330311/prudential-hong-kong-open-wild-card-ng-within-moments-shock-win-qualifiers?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:39:00 +0000 Aaina Bhargava Aaina Bhargava Aryna Sabalenka is living her best tennis life – travelling the world, eating well, soaking up the sun and winning big. Most recently, she took home the 2025 US Open title after a season marked by triumphs and near misses. “It’s a great feeling,” says the world No 1. “It’s just fun to be here, to travel around the world, to compete and win. All of it. I’m just really enjoying my tennis life.” Sabalenka is in Hong Kong for the Prudential NextGen Aces panel and exhibition match, speaking about... https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3330242/aryna-sabalenka-loving-hong-kong-steffi-graf-and-inspiring-young-players?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/postmag/passions/article/3330242/aryna-sabalenka-loving-hong-kong-steffi-graf-and-inspiring-young-players?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Oct 2025 10:32:11 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer The Prudential Hong Kong Open has added four new players to the roster, including former winner Leylah Fernandez, after several high-profile names dropped out of the event, organisers confirmed on Saturday. The 2023 champion Fernandez will be joined by Tokyo Olympic singles champion Belinda Bencic, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin and Greek star Maria Sakkari. Earlier this week, Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka both pulled out of the competition at Victoria Park for the second year... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3329518/hong-kong-open-former-winner-leylah-fernandez-among-4-new-faces-after-several-pull-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3329518/hong-kong-open-former-winner-leylah-fernandez-among-4-new-faces-after-several-pull-out?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Oct 2025 09:58:13 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport The Prudential Hong Kong Open is not having much luck when it comes to getting two of tennis’ biggest stars onto the court at Victoria Park, with Emma Raducanu withdrawing and Naomi Osaka breaking down injured, both for the second year running. Raducanu decided on Thursday to shut her season down early after medical issues plagued her time in China during the WTA’s Asian swing, and less than 12 hours later, Osaka pulled out of her quarter-final at the Japan Open because of a left leg injury. If... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3329376/prudential-hong-kong-open-curse-strikes-again-emma-raducanu-out-naomi-osaka-injured?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3329376/prudential-hong-kong-open-curse-strikes-again-emma-raducanu-out-naomi-osaka-injured?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 17 Oct 2025 06:58:50 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka has called the packed tennis schedule “crazy” and said the sport’s governing bodies had to “do something” about it. Speaking to the Post on the sidelines of the Prudential NextGen Aces event in Hong Kong, Sabalenka is one of several high-profile players to weigh in on the issue in recent months. Last month, world No 2 Iga Swiatek said the season was too long and too intense, and hinted she may skip some mandatory tournaments in the future, while men’s world No 1 Carlos... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3329176/sabalenka-joins-calls-change-says-tennis-chiefs-have-fix-crazy-wta-tour-schedule?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3329176/sabalenka-joins-calls-change-says-tennis-chiefs-have-fix-crazy-wta-tour-schedule?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Oct 2025 03:00:11 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will go head to head in a Battle of the Sexes in Dubai in December, and not in Hong Kong as originally thought, the Post has learned. A clash between the two global stars had been rumoured to be set for Hong Kong in January, just before the Australian Open, but that has now changed, with December 28 floated as a potential date for the match. And when talking to the Post while in Hong Kong to attend the Prudential NextGen Aces event, world No 1 Sabalenka put her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3329158/sabalenka-kyrgios-will-take-battle-sexes-dubai-hong-kong-misses-out?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3329158/sabalenka-kyrgios-will-take-battle-sexes-dubai-hong-kong-misses-out?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 15 Oct 2025 14:16:28 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Zheng Qinwen’s China Open came to an abrupt end on Monday, with the home favourite retiring in the deciding set of her third-round clash against Linda Noskova. The Chinese world No 9 had recovered from going a set down to draw things level, but was well behind in the third set when she called time on her first tournament since recovering from elbow surgery. Noskova was 6-4, 3-6, 3-0 up at that point and will now face Russia’s Anastasia Potapova for a place in the quarter-finals. Zheng said her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3327280/zheng-qinwen-retires-china-open-quits-when-trailing-novoska-deciding-set?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3327280/zheng-qinwen-retires-china-open-quits-when-trailing-novoska-deciding-set?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:23:16 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Naomi Osaka and rising star Alexandra Eala are set to light up the city’s tennis scene in October, after both committing to play in the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open. The 20-year-old Eala’s participation has been confirmed days after she made history by becoming the first player from the Philippines to win a grand slam match in the Open era, doing so at the US Open in New York. Japan’s former world No 1 Osaka is also on a roll, having on Wednesday continued her resurgence by reaching the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3324318/naomi-osaka-alexandra-eala-headline-next-months-prudential-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3324318/naomi-osaka-alexandra-eala-headline-next-months-prudential-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 08:06:12 +0000 Hong Kong tennis chiefs are looking at options for upgrading the government-owned Victoria Park venue with a view to staging better events, after learning the new Kai Tak Sports Park was not equipped to replace it. Michael Cheng Ming-git, president of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA), revealed his organisation was conducting a feasibility study on the Causeway Bay venue, examining whether and how it could meet requirements for hosting leading tournaments. Cheng reiterated his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3294223/hong-kong-tennis-chiefs-look-options-victoria-park-after-kai-tak-ruled-out-venue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3294223/hong-kong-tennis-chiefs-look-options-victoria-park-after-kai-tak-ruled-out-venue?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jan 2025 08:45:08 +0000 Jerry Shang Juncheng is focusing on “staying alive” after a bout of illness before the ATP Next Gen Finals in Jeddah – the last stop before the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open – wiped out any chances of preparing for the new season. The ATP Next Gen Finals is the final competition of the 2024 season, and depending on how far Shang progresses, the turnaround for the 2025 campaign is likely to be a matter of days. The Chengdu Open champion enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024 and climbed to a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3291493/atp-next-gen-finals-illness-mars-jerry-shangs-preparation-preseason-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3291493/atp-next-gen-finals-illness-mars-jerry-shangs-preparation-preseason-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Dec 2024 05:09:41 +0000 The Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open has been handed the tournament of the year award at WTA 250 level, at the Women’s Tennis Association’s Tournament of the Year Awards on Friday. The ‘M’ Mark event, which was held at Victoria Park from October 26 to November 3, claimed the annual award ahead of 22 other WTA International Series events held around the world in its category. It was also the second time the event has won the award, after first winning it in 2018. “This award is the best... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3290744/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-wins-tournament-year-award-wta-250-category?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3290744/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-wins-tournament-year-award-wta-250-category?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:00:09 +0000 As the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open started getting into full swing in late October, there was plenty of action to be found off the court as well, aimed at celebrating the achievements of women. The tournament, which is part of the Women’s Tennis Association 250 Series, provided the ideal backdrop for a leadership event that put a spotlight on the challenges women face in advancing their careers in sports and business. The event, Women Aces in Leadership, was organised by Prudential, which... https://www.scmp.com/native/business/topics/championing-women-athletes-and-ceos/article/3289948/women-aces-leadership-event-offers-empowering-words-female-athletes-and-executives?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/business/topics/championing-women-athletes-and-ceos/article/3289948/women-aces-leadership-event-offers-empowering-words-female-athletes-and-executives?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:00:09 +0000 In sports and in business, women have long fought for a place at the top. That made the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open a fitting time to bring together a high-profile line-up of international tennis players and executives with global reach for an exclusive event championing the success of female leaders. Women Aces in Leadership, organised by Prudential, took place last month in Hong Kong. The event was held in conjunction with the women’s tennis tournament, which Prudential has been... https://www.scmp.com/native/business/topics/championing-women-athletes-and-ceos/article/3288475/naomi-osaka-serves-personal-insights-women-aces-leadership-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/business/topics/championing-women-athletes-and-ceos/article/3288475/naomi-osaka-serves-personal-insights-women-aces-leadership-event?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:00:18 +0000 World No 8 Andrey Rublev on Tuesday says he is “very excited” to return to the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2025 title, but admits to being unsure about whether going in as defending champion will be a help or a hindrance. The Russian is the top seed for the event, which takes place from December 29 to January 5 and includes the likes of Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam and mainland star Jerry Shang Juncheng. Rublev also said his ATP 250 title win in Hong Kong earlier this year was a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3288236/andrey-rublev-set-hong-kong-return-after-roller-coaster-year-wary-top-seed-tag?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3288236/andrey-rublev-set-hong-kong-return-after-roller-coaster-year-wary-top-seed-tag?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Nov 2024 12:00:27 +0000 Zheng Qinwen needs to improve her concentration, cut out inconsistencies in her game and capitalise on her killer serve if she is going to sign off a career-defining season by winning the WTA Finals, a Chinese tennis expert has suggested. Should Zheng beat American Coco Gauff in Riyadh on Saturday night, she will become the second woman to win an Olympic gold medal and the end-of-season crown, a feat previously only accomplished by Serena Williams in 2012. Zheng sealed her place in the final... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285902/key-zheng-qinwen-beating-coco-gauff-wta-finals-lies-killer-serve-cutting-out-mistakes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285902/key-zheng-qinwen-beating-coco-gauff-wta-finals-lies-killer-serve-cutting-out-mistakes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Nov 2024 11:03:38 +0000 Li Na has suggested that players at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open last week were fatigued and could reach greater heights if they are better at selecting their competitions. Speaking to the media hours before Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to make it out of the group stage of the WTA Finals since Li in 2013, the retired two-time grand slam winner declined to offer her any tips for the tournament. On Wednesday, world No 7 Zheng beat Jasmine Paolini 6-1, 6-1 in Riyadh, and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285557/players-hong-kong-open-looked-tired-should-manage-their-schedules-better-says-li-na?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285557/players-hong-kong-open-looked-tired-should-manage-their-schedules-better-says-li-na?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:00:16 +0000 Chinese tennis legend Li Na praised the improvements made in the organisation of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open and said that players “loved this event”. However, she reiterated calls for the decades-old Victoria Park to undergo a makeover. Li, who won the French Open in 2011 before adding the Australian Open three years later, was appointed tournament director for this year’s WTA 250 event in the city, and said this gave her the opportunity to have a different view of proceedings. “I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3285096/li-na-says-players-loved-hong-kong-open-calls-upgrade-victoria-park-arena?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3285096/li-na-says-players-loved-hong-kong-open-calls-upgrade-victoria-park-arena?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Nov 2024 00:30:09 +0000 Diana Shnaider swept aside Katie Boulter to claim the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Sunday, racing to a 6-1, 6-2 victory in a one-sided affair that lasted little more than an hour. The Russian’s triumph at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium was her fourth WTA title of the year, adding to those she picked up at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Bad Homburg Open and the Trophee Clarins. Boulter barely had a sniff of a chance, and lost her first service game in both sets against an opponent she had never... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3285013/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-shnaider-blitzes-boulter-claim-title-one-sided-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3285013/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-shnaider-blitzes-boulter-claim-title-one-sided-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Nov 2024 10:27:54 +0000 Top-seeded Russian Diana Shnaider was never troubled in a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Leylah Fernandez that took just one hour and 27 minutes, in stark contrast to the more than two-and-a-half hours Katie Boulter needed to overcome Yuan Yue in Saturday’s first semi-final at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. Fernandez, who breezed past Heather Watson, Kimberly Birrell and Bernarda Pera in straight sets in her bid to become the first woman to successfully defend the title in 43 years, was no match for the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284944/hong-kong-tennis-open-yuan-yues-service-game-goes-missing-katie-boulter-ends-her-run?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284944/hong-kong-tennis-open-yuan-yues-service-game-goes-missing-katie-boulter-ends-her-run?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 02 Nov 2024 09:39:58 +0000 China’s Yuan Yue said her game still needed work, despite reaching the semi-finals of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open after beating Sofia Kenin in straight sets on Friday. With tournament second seed Katie Boulter taking down Anastasia Zakharova of Russia, 6-4, 6-0, in the second match of the day, Yuan will get the chance for some revenge against the 28-year-old on Saturday. The British world No 29 came out on top 7-5, 7-6 in their only previous encounter, in the first round of this year’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284817/hong-kong-open-former-australian-open-champ-sofia-kenin-crashes-out-chinas-yuan-yue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284817/hong-kong-open-former-australian-open-champ-sofia-kenin-crashes-out-chinas-yuan-yue?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 01 Nov 2024 09:00:26 +0000 Sofia Kenin continued her end-of-year resurrection with a no-nonsense straight sets victory over Jessika Ponchet to set up a Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open quarter-final tie with China’s Yuan Yue on Friday. American Kenin, the 2020 Australian Open champion and former world No 4, dropped to 168 in the rankings last month following a chastening 2024. She lost nine straight matches from January and had not progressed beyond the last-16 of any tournament before unexpectedly reaching the final of a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284685/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-rejuvenated-major-champ-sofia-kenin-victoria-park-roll?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284685/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-rejuvenated-major-champ-sofia-kenin-victoria-park-roll?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 12:39:14 +0000 Surprise package Anastasia Zakharova said she was dreaming of winning her first WTA title in Hong Kong, having only arrived in the city on Monday after a 14-hour dash from Spain. The world No 113 ruthlessly dispatched out-of-sorts world No 66 Varvara Gracheva 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday to set up an intriguing quarter-final tie with Britain’s Katie Boulter at Victoria Park Tennis Centre. Russian Zakharova won a W100 tournament on the third-tier ITF Tour in Barcelona on Sunday, one week after claiming a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284645/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-jet-lagged-zakharova-eyes-title-bid-after-14-hour-journey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284645/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-jet-lagged-zakharova-eyes-title-bid-after-14-hour-journey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 09:42:56 +0000 After coming to Hong Kong to push herself out of her “comfort zone”, Katie Boulter has become obsessed with “one of the most incredible places in the world”. Boulter has won a legion of new fans in the city following a pair of skilful, tenacious and animated displays to reach Friday’s Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open quarter-finals. Hong Kong is Boulter’s 23rd and final individual tournament of a year that brought the 28-year-old her first WTA500 title, in San Diego in May. A semi-finalist at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284579/hong-kong-open-katie-boulter-out-my-comfort-zone-loving-incredible-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284579/hong-kong-open-katie-boulter-out-my-comfort-zone-loving-incredible-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 31 Oct 2024 07:00:08 +0000 Katie Boulter said she had been put through the wringer by rising Chinese star Wang Xiyu before securing the straight sets victory that booked her Prudential Hong Kong Open quarter-final spot. A fired-up Boulter won 7-6, 6-4 on Wednesday, after staving off one set point in the opener and resisting a second-set fightback from hard-hitting Wang. The Briton, ranked No 29 in the world, is playing her 23rd tournament of a hectic year, and had scant recovery time following a WTA 500 semi-final loss to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284515/prudential-hong-kong-open-boulter-proud-defiant-victory-over-chinese-star-wang-xiyu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284515/prudential-hong-kong-open-boulter-proud-defiant-victory-over-chinese-star-wang-xiyu?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:10:32 +0000 Leylah Fernandez got her defence of the Prudential Hong Kong Open off to the best possible start on Tuesday, beating former British No 1 Heather Watson in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. And despite appearing to be less than half full, the Hong Kong crowd at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium’s centre court gave Fernandez, 22, the loudest cheer of the day as she came out and then quickly went about dismantling 32-year-old veteran Watson. Fernandez, who has three ATP titles to her name, had the round of 32... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284367/prudential-hong-kong-open-leylah-fernandez-gets-her-title-defence-flyer?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284367/prudential-hong-kong-open-leylah-fernandez-gets-her-title-defence-flyer?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:14:44 +0000 Naomi Osaka said the birth of her daughter had brought power and greater meaning to her life, and she wanted to channel that into winning tournaments next season. Speaking at an event in Hong Kong on Tuesday, the former Australian Open and US Open champion also said she hoped to be seeded for the grand slams, and had her eye on being ready for the year’s first major event in Melbourne in January. Osaka had been expected to play at the Prudential Hong Kong Open this week, but was forced to end... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284356/naomi-osaka-eyes-grand-slam-seeding-more-wins-expects-be-fit-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284356/naomi-osaka-eyes-grand-slam-seeding-more-wins-expects-be-fit-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Oct 2024 11:52:54 +0000 Former world No 1 Simona Halep was sent crashing out of the first round of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Monday, losing in straight sets to China’s Yuan Yue, 6-3, 6-3. The 33-year-old cut an angry figure under the floodlights at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium’s centre court, hitting her racquet against the floor after Yuan won the advantage to go 5-2 up in the first set and often shouting at herself in Romanian. And it was a frustrating day for the two-time grand slam champion, who, in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284218/angry-halep-crashes-out-hong-kong-open-tries-take-positives-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3284218/angry-halep-crashes-out-hong-kong-open-tries-take-positives-defeat?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:15:19 +0000 Australian Priscilla Hon sounded just like an authentic Hongkonger when she named a long list of local food she loved in Cantonese after beating Eudice Chong in the opening round at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Monday. Born in Brisbane in 1998, world No 210 Hon got the better of local fan favourite Chong after a one hour, and 28 minutes encounter on centre court at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, walking away with a 6-3, 6-4 straight-sets win. Among the 1,800- strong centre court crowd... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284200/hong-kong-tennis-open-foodie-hon-hails-citys-culinary-delights-after-opening-day-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284200/hong-kong-tennis-open-foodie-hon-hails-citys-culinary-delights-after-opening-day-win?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 10:45:33 +0000 Women’s tennis world governing body officials have nothing but praise for the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open as the city embraces its second WTA 250 event in as many years. The nine-day tournament, which kicked off on Saturday with qualifiers and with main draw action to start on Monday, will crown a winner at Victoria Park Centre Court next Sunday. Overseeing the Hong Kong tournament for the second time, Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) supervisor Clare Wood said she had spotted improvements... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284050/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-event-has-come-long-way-says-wtas-clare-wood?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284050/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-event-has-come-long-way-says-wtas-clare-wood?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:30:17 +0000 Sofia Kenin is still expected to be in Hong Kong this week, despite playing and losing at the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo with her right thigh heavily strapped on Sunday. The organisers of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open told the Post the 2020 Australian Open champion, who will play qualifier Mei Yamaguchi of Japan in the opening round, was expected to arrive on Monday. At the 10,000-seat Ariake Coliseum, China’s Zheng Qinwen produced near-flawless serves to beat Kenin 7-6, 6-3, winning... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3284064/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-injured-tokyo-losing-finalist-sofia-kenin-set-play?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3284064/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-injured-tokyo-losing-finalist-sofia-kenin-set-play?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 27 Oct 2024 11:00:10 +0000 Former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin has advanced to the final of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a 6-4, 6-4 win over ninth-seeded Katie Boulter on Saturday. However, Kenin’s place in Sunday’s final – against Chinese Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen – is in doubt after she retired with a leg injury when she went back out on court to play her doubles semi-final with partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands. They were down 5-2 in the first set when Kenin pulled up. Her participation in next week’s... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284002/hong-kong-open-sofia-kenin-could-be-doubt-after-picking-injury-tokyo-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3284002/hong-kong-open-sofia-kenin-could-be-doubt-after-picking-injury-tokyo-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Oct 2024 10:56:12 +0000 Inside the energetic, young body of 23-year-old Lulu Sun probably lives a soul far beyond her age – so said the New Zealand tennis player as she explained her Chinese heritage before her professional debut in Hong Kong. Preparing to play at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open next week, the Wimbledon quarter-finalist admitted competing in the city felt like playing in her “second home”. And she revealed there could be several familiar, close faces in the stands rooting for her. “I have one... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3283926/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-lulu-sun-explains-her-chinese-heritage-city-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3283926/prudential-hong-kong-tennis-open-lulu-sun-explains-her-chinese-heritage-city-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Oct 2024 04:00:16 +0000 Emma Raducanu has become the latest player to drop out of this month’s Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, just 24 hours after Naomi Osaka was forced to withdraw through injury. Raducanu, who has been recovering from the foot injury that forced her to retire ahead of her Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina a month ago, has already missed four tournaments on the WTA’s Asian swing; the China Open, and events in Wuhan, Ningbo and this week in Guangzhou. Her spot at the Victoria Park... https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3283420/emma-raducanu-latest-player-pull-out-hong-kong-open-replaced-sofia-kenin?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/3283420/emma-raducanu-latest-player-pull-out-hong-kong-open-replaced-sofia-kenin?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Oct 2024 14:00:08 +0000 Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from this month’s Prudential Hong Kong Open less than a week after confirming she would play in the WTA 250 event. Osaka had been expected to line up alongside Emma Raducanu and defending champion Leylah Fernandez at Hong Kong tournament, which takes place at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium between October 28th and November 3rd. But on Monday, the 27-year-old, who told Japanese media she had ruptured abdominal muscles, said she was “really sorry” about having to pull out... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3283176/naomi-osaka-says-season-over-due-injury-less-week-after-committing-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3283176/naomi-osaka-says-season-over-due-injury-less-week-after-committing-hong-kong-open?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Oct 2024 04:38:28 +0000 Former world No 1 and four-time grand-slam tournament winner Naomi Osaka will play in the WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open this month, organisers confirmed on Tuesday. Japan’s Osaka joins a roster featuring another former world No 1 in Simona Halep, defending champion Leylah Fernandez, British No 1 Katie Boulter and former US Open champion Emma Raducanu. Osaka’s confirmation for the Hong Kong event at Victoria Park comes two weeks after she was forced to retire during her round-of-16 tie... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3282463/naomi-osaka-play-star-studded-hong-kong-tennis-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/3282463/naomi-osaka-play-star-studded-hong-kong-tennis-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:50:18 +0000