Beijing Visitor Guide

Tennis in Hong Kong

It’s a battle of the top two tournament seeds as top-seed Diana Shnaider faces off against Britain No.1 and tournament No.2 seed Katie Boulter in the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024. Unwilling to cede her Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open crown, title defender Leylah Fernandez put on a typically gritty display in an epic early evening encounter. 

However, the world No. 14, at just 20 years of age the youngest WTA player in the world top 20, powered through converting 5 of 8 break point opportunities to defeat the defending champion in straight sets 6-4 ,6-2 to progress to tomorrow’s final. “Today’s win felt very sweet,” explained Shnaider, who had lost to Fernandez in their previous two encounters. 

“With Leylah’s last two wins, I went into the game rather nervous. So, I am very proud of myself. I’m delighted to make the finals.” In a packed Saturday Centre Court at Victoria Park Stadium this afternoon it was Boulter who was first to secure herself a finals spot, in her very first competitive tournament outing in Hong Kong. 

A convincing first set from Boulter, saw her break China’s Yuan Yue twice to take it 6-2. Then Yuan mounted a brief second set fight back, but the British No. 1 managed to attack her opponent's second serves and hit timely forehand winners to go through to tomorrow's final 6-2, 5-7, 6-2. 

“That was an unbelievable match,” exclaimed Boulter. “I wanted to finish my year on a career high, which is why today meant so much to me. I've got nothing to lose tomorrow and I'm just going to swing free and enjoy it.” 

And in acknowledging the enthusiastic support of the crowd, “Thank you to everyone for supporting me, this is such an amazing tournament.” In the doubles, Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi saved two match points to beat top seed Cristina Bucsa and Miyu Kato 6-7(2), 6-4, [14-12] to progress to tomorrow's final against Ulrikke Eikeri and Makoto Ninomiya.

Off-court, Tournament Director and tennis legend Li Na attended a sharing session in the morning, when she spoke to some 40 young local players and their parents about her growth story, including how to face challenges, maintain focus, and pursue their dreams. 

Li Na encouraged the young players to bravely pursue their goals and not to give up easily when encountering difficulties. Her sharing greatly inspired the attendees, who expressed their determination to strive for their tennis dreams. 

A packed Tournament Village today welcomed a very special celebrity visitor, with an appearance by everybody’s favourite PEANUTS™ cartoon Snoopy and Friends, adding to the “Chill Fun @ Hong Kong Market Place” festivities at Victoria Park. 

The cartoon star character enjoyed ‘selfie’ photo fun providing tennis fans, young and old, with a memorable memento of the event. Snoopy returns tomorrow at 1:15 PM and 4:15 PM. Be sure to take the opportunity to meet him and snap a photo! The WTA 250 Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024 ends tomorrow, 3 November. 

The Tournament Village will be open to the public, completely free of charge, throughout Sunday’s final event. Public ticket sales are available through the online ticketing platform tickets.tennishk.org*. Gold-level tickets range from HK$220 to HK$970, with Silver-level tickets HK$160 to HK$760. As an environmentally conscious green event, ticketing will be paperless. A 50% discount concession is available for children and the elderly on all Silver-level tickets**.