In a challenging day for tennis players, Katie Boulter faced a heartbreaking retirement during her opening match at the Prudential Hong Kong Open, as Fran Jones remained sidelined in Chennai due to severe weather conditions stemming from Cyclone Montha. While the first rounds were concluded at both the WTA 250 tournaments in Hong Kong and Jiujiang, the disruption caused by the cyclone left players and officials scrambling in India.
At the Hong Kong Open, Boulter, who was last year’s finalist, was unable to replicate her past success against the rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala. After dropping the first set 6-4, Boulter found herself down 2-1 in the second before she called for medical attention. Emotional and in evident pain, she ultimately decided to retire from the match, leaving Eala to advance without contest. Following the match, Eala expressed her disbelief regarding the demands placed on players during this late stage of the season, wishing Boulter a prompt recovery.
Eala, now ranked No. 53, has celebrated a remarkable year, highlighted by her historic victory at the US Open, making her the first player from the Philippines to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open Era. Throughout 2025, she has also reached the semi-finals in Miami and made a significant impression in both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic, the tournament’s top seed and fresh off her 10th career title in Tokyo, managed to shake off her overnight travel fatigue to defeat Aliaksandra Sasnovich with a score of 6-3, 6-4 in her opening match. After arriving in Hong Kong at dawn, Bencic allowed herself some downtime, even visiting local attractions before stepping back into competitive play. She has made a notable return post-maternity, climbing back into the top echelon of the WTA rankings, currently positioned at No. 11.
Defending champion Leylah Fernandez, seeded No. 2, opened her title defense impressively with a 6-1, 6-4 victory against China’s Wang Xiyu, while compatriot and No. 3 seed Victoria Mboko engaged in a grueling three-set battle to edge Talia Gibson 6-7(3), 6-1, 6-4. Mboko’s fightback showcased her resilience as she aims for longevity in the tournament.
Over in Jiujiang, the WTA 250 Jiangxi Open was underway but suffered an early shock as Ann Li, the top seed and recent Guangzhou champion, was upset by Bai Zhuoxuan in straight sets. In her comeback after a lengthy injury hiatus, Bai cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory and set her sights on continuing her momentum in the next round.
As for Fran Jones in Chennai, her anticipated match remains on hold as heavy rains disrupt the event. The local cyclone has not only caused significant play delays but has also led to cancelations of flights in the area. Jones is currently seeded second and is set to face Japan’s Mei Yamaguchi once conditions allow.
With the tournament schedule marred by weather challenges in Chennai and the emotional toll faced by players in Hong Kong, the remaining days promise to be pivotal as athletes look to finish their seasons strongly amidst various pressures.
