Hong Kong Tennis Open: Leylah Fernandez feels the love from her Filipino fans, books semi-final spot

“I’m part Filipina, I’ve had a lot of support from them here,” she told the Post. “I know a lot of them have supported me in Tagalog, which is very, very heartwarming. I love it, and a couple of them want to give me some adobo, that’s good.

“I’m just feeling the love from the fans from Hong Kong, and the Asia community has definitely helped me get acclimatised to the environment here.

“It’s my first time in Hong Kong so everything is all new but getting the love has made me comfortable, enjoying my time, playing the game I love with a smile on my face.”

Fernandez won through in one hour, 41 minutes in her first career meeting with the 18-year-old Czech, who is ranked 28 places below her at No 88 in the world but matched her for much of the first set.

She will now face Anna Blinkova on Saturday for a place in the final, after the Russian dispatched Spain’s Sara Sorribes Tormo in the first match of the day.

“It’s special for me because it’s the first semi-final in a long time,” added Fernandez, whose career has largely stalled since losing to Emma Raducanu at Flushing Meadows in the 2021 final. “Getting these wins is extra special, especially with what has been going on these past few years.

“I’m super happy with the way I fought and I found solutions, I’m finally finding my game again. The atmosphere is very enjoyable and I’m having a lot of fun. I’m playing more freely, every match I’m progressing and that’s all I can ask for.”

The 25-year-old Russian Blinkova – who is not officially allowed to compete in the WTA under her country’s flag – had earlier won 7-6(3), 6-3.

With more seeds feeling on Friday, following earlier exits for Victoria Azarenka, Wang Xinyu, and Beatriz Haddad Maia, the draw has certainly opened up in Hong Kong.

“Of course I dream about winning tournaments, and having a good ranking,” world No 37 Blinkova said. “We all dream about it, this is why we train and sacrifice so much.

“But I try to not focus on that, otherwise I have too much pressure. I just try to enjoy every day of this wonderful journey and enjoy this sport I love so much.”

Martina Trevisan booked her ticket to the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 win over third seed Elise Mertens. The world No 42 will face Katerina Siniakova, who beat the 2017 champion Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6(1), 6-4 later on Friday night.

“Elise is always tough to play,” Trevisan told the Post after the match. “I lost easily to her in March. I knew what I had to do and it worked, so I’m very happy.

“She made a lot of unforced errors in the second set. I was 5-0 up but she tried to take control again and it was a fight. I was ready to fight too, though.

“I’m happy with a win easy or not, without thinking about the time or the score – the only thing I want is the win.”

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