Hong Kong Open 2024: Leylah Fernandez vs Diana Shnaider preview, head-to-head, prediction and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (3) Leylah Fernandez vs (1) Diana Shnaider
Date: November 2, 2024
Tournament: Hong Kong Open 2024
Round: Semifinals
Venue: Hong Kong, China
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Hard (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $267,082
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | Canada - TSN
Leylah Fernandez vs Diana Shnaider preview
Third seed Leylah Fernandez will take on top seed Diana Shnaider in the semifinals of the Hong Kong Open on Saturday (Nov. 2, 2024).
After a slow start to the season, Fernandez picked up the pace with a quarterfinal run in the Birmingham Classic and a runner-up finish in the Eastbourne International. She also reached the third round of the Paris Olympics, where she lost to Angelique Kerber in straight sets.
The Canadian entered Hong Kong on the back of a quarterfinal finish in Tokyo. She started her campaign by breezing past Heather Watson and Kimberly Birrell in the first two rounds and then showed her class against Bernarda Pera in the quarterfinals. Fernandez outfoxed the American in one hour and 31 minutes, 6-1, 7-6(7).
Diana Shnaider, meanwhile, has had an underrated season on tour this year. She's chalked up 52 wins from 74 matches, including a title-winning run in the Bad Homburg Open and semifinal runs in Toronto, Seoul and Tokyo. Despite a valiant effort against Zheng Qinwen in Tokyo, the Chinese No. 1 eliminated her in straight sets, 7-6(5), 6-3.
The Russian started her campaign in Hong Kong with solid wins over Kyoka Okamura and Priscilla Hon in the first two rounds. She then brushed aside Suzan Lamens in the quarterfinals in an engrossing three-set bout, 6-0, 6-7(4), 6-2. Shnaider won 61% of her first serve points and converted nine out 11 break points to secure her spot in the last four.
Leylah Fernandez vs Diana Shnaider head-to-head
Fernandez leads the head-to-head against Shnaider 2-0. She defeated the Russian most recently at the 2024 Wuhan Open.
Leylah Fernandez vs Diana Shnaider odds
Odds will be updated when available.
Leylah Fernandez vs Diana Shnaider prediction
Leylah Fernadez has a great chance to win her first title of the season in Hong Kong. She is yet to drop a set at the event and has won 75% of her first serve points in the last three matches. The Canadian recently defeated Shnaider in Wuhan and will fancy her chances again in the next round.
Shnaider, on the other hand, showed her resilience with a three-set win over Lamens in the last round. The Russian has amassed some formidable results this season and deserves more credit for her performances on the main tour. A title-winning run in Hong Kong could surely add to her value and get the critics' attention.
The Hong Kong crowd can expect a gripping contest between two stubborn competitors in the semifinals. The Canadian will once again be a slight favorite to cause problems for Shnaider considering her clincal start in Hong Kong. She should be able to implement her solid baseline game and pass this challenge in the last four.
Pick: Fernandez to win in straight sets.