This weekend marks an exciting climax for three WTA 250 tournaments taking place in Hong Kong, Chennai, and Jiujiang, as players vie for titles and critical ranking points.
In Hong Kong, Victoria Mboko, the No. 3 seed, produced a stunning comeback to defeat fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the second seed, with a scoreline of 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. This victory propels the 19-year-old into her first WTA final against Cristina Bucsa of Spain. Bucsa secured her spot after a dominant performance against the fifth seed Maya Joint, winning 6-3, 6-1 in under an hour. Mboko’s resilience has been a hallmark of her recent form; this match marks her third victory in four matches after dropping the first set. Her ability to bounce back under pressure is reminiscent of her remarkable run in Montréal this August, where she saved a match point in the semi-finals against Elena Rybakina.
Conversely, in the semi-final clash, Fernandez exhibited strong front-court play but ultimately struggled after taking a medical timeout at the beginning of the second set. Despite an explosive start — winning eight of the first nine games — her performance waned as Mboko found her rhythm, dramatically improving her serve and capitalizing on the Canadian’s increasing errors.
Meanwhile, in Chennai, Australia’s Kimberly Birrell pulled off a remarkable escape against Joanna Garland of Chinese Taipei. The seventh seed was down 0-5 in the decisive third set but clawed her way back to win 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-5 after an intense 3-hour and 24-minute battle. This match was not only significant for Birrell’s advancement to the final but showcased her tenacity as she saved five match points during the process. Following a medical timeout for Garland, who was visibly struggling, the players exchanged emotional moments in what became a test of endurance in the sweltering conditions.
Birrell’s emotional victory was compounded by being awarded the Margaret Amritraj Fairplay Award for her sportsmanship, reflecting her character both on and off the court. In the final, she will face Janice Tjen, the No. 4 seed from Indonesia, who secured her own place by defeating Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee in a tightly contested match that ended 7-6(6), 7-6(5).
Across the way in Jiujiang, 17-year-old wild-card entry Lilli Tagger made an impressive mark in her WTA main draw debut, stunning defending champion Viktorija Golubic in the semi-finals. Tagger rallied from a daunting 2-5 deficit in the third set, ultimately prevailing 6-1, 4-6, 7-5. The young Austrian demonstrated remarkable composure and skill, particularly during crucial moments, winning 13 consecutive points to secure her spot in the final. Tagger’s rise has been meteoric, having gone from World No. 773 to a projected position within the Top 200 following her consistent performance this season.
Tagger will face Anna Blinkova, who defeated Dominika Salkova 6-4, 6-4 in her semi-final match. Blinkova’s charm has made her a fan favorite, especially after showcasing her efforts to engage with the local audience, communicating in Chinese during post-match interviews.
As these tournaments head into their final matches, all eyes will be on the climactic clashes in Hong Kong, Chennai, and Jiujiang. With rising stars making their marks and experienced players vying for titles, it promises to be an exhilarating conclusion to the weekend.
