Hong Kong Open 2024: Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet preview, head-to-head, prediction, and pick
Match Details
Fixture: (WC) Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet
Date: 31 October 2024
Tournament: Hong Kong Open 2024
Round: Second-round (Round of 16)
Venue: Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Category: WTA 250
Surface: Hardcourt (Outdoor)
Prize Money: $267,082
Live Telecast: USA - Tennis Channel | UK - Sky UK | Canada - DAZN
Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet preview
Sofia Kenin is set to face Jessika Ponchet in the second round of the 2024 Hong Kong Open on Thursday, 31 October.
Kenin recently reached the final of the Toray Pan Pacific Open, defeating the likes of Xinyu Wang, Clara Tauson, Daria Kasatkina, and Katie Boulter before falling to an in-form Zheng Qinwen in the final. Her runner-up finish marked her first final in a year and her first streak of three consecutive wins this season.
Kenin began her Hong Kong campaign this week with a routine 6-4, 6-4 victory over Japan's Mei Yamaguchi.
Ponchet, who has primarily competed on the ITF circuit this year with two finals appearances, recorded her best WTA result with a third-round finish at the US Open. She featured at the Guangzhou Open last, where she fought through the qualifiers but lost in a tight three-setter to Han Shi in the first round of the main draw.
In Hong Kong this week, Ponchet opened with an impressive 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 upset over fourth seed Xinyu Wang, marking her first victory over a seeded player at a WTA event this season.
Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet head-to-head
Sofia Kenin and Jessika Ponchet have yet to face off professionally so their head-to-head is currently locked at 0-0.
Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Sofia Kenin vs Jessika Ponchet prediction
Sofia Kenin looked solid in her Hong Kong opener, carrying over the momentum from her strong showing in Tokyo last week. Her serve was solid, but it was her performance on return and from the baseline that stood out. Her backhand was particularly effective, and she made excellent use of her slice to control the rallies.
Jessika Ponchet, on the other hand, showcased impressive resilience by overturning a one-set deficit in her first-round match. She served well and was even stronger on return, thriving in longer rallies. Her willingness to approach the net paid off, adding variety to her game and paying dividends every time she turned to it.
Kenin heads into this contest as the clear favorite given her recent surge in form. Additionally, the slower courts in Hong Kong should play to her all-around strengths, further tipping the odds in her favor for this matchup.
Pick: Kenin in straight sets.