Hong Kong Open 2024: Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (1) Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova
Date: October 4, 2024
Tournament: Hong Kong 125 Open 2024
Round: Quarterfinal
Venue: Hong Kong, China
Category: WTA 125
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $115,000
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - TSN
Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova preview
Top seed Emma Navarro will take on seventh seed Anna Blinkova in the quarterfinals of the Hong Kong 125 Open. The winner of the match will face either fifth seed McCartney Kessler or Ajla Tomljanovic in the semifinals.
Navarro entered the WTA 125 event following a disastrous China Open campaign, which saw her suffer a second-round defeat to Zhang Shuai. The 23-year-old booked her place in the second round in Hong Kong after a 7-5, 6-4 win over Viktorija Golubic.
Here, the American faced Kimberly Birrell and dominated the first set, winning it 6-2. She then won the second set as well to register a 6-2, 6-4 win and book her place in the quarterfinals.
Blinkova entered the Hong Kong 125 Open on the back of an opening-round exit at the China Open, where she was trounced 1-6, 1-6 by Karolina Muchova.
The 26-year-old got off to a solid start in Hong Kong with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2 win over Thailand's Peangtarn Plipuech. She then faced former World No. 1 Simona Halep and got off to a solid start by taking the first set 6-2.
Blinkova produced another dominant display in the second set to thrash the Romanian 6-2, 6-1, and book her place in the quarterfinals of the WTA 125 event in Hong Kong.
Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova head-to-head
The two have locked horns twice previously, with their head-to-head currently tied at 1-1. Their last meeting came in the first round of the US Open 2024, with Navarro winning 6-1, 6-1.
Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova odds
All odds sourced from oddspedia.
Emma Navarro vs Anna Blinkova prediction
Navarro will enter the match as the favorite to win given her set of impressive performances over the past few months. That said, Blinkova on her day is capable of giving the American a run for her money.
Navarro is a powerful hitter of a tennis ball and has drop shots and slices that can always baffle her opponents. The American will look to be on the front foot from the start of the match and put pressure on Blinkova.
The Russian has had a decent record on her first serve so far in Hong Kong, winning 45 out of 59 points (76.2%). She will rely heavily on her service games while looking for the odd decisive break. Given the way Navarro has performed in recent months, Blinkova will have to produce her A-game in order to come out on top.
Unless the Russian produces something extraordinary, there is a very good chance of the American coming out on top without much trouble.
Pick: Navarro to win in straight sets.