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Match Details
Fixture: (3) Leylah Fernandez vs Kimberly Birrell
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
Leylah Fernandez vs Kimberly Birrell preview
Third seed Leylah Fernandez will square off against Kimberly Birrell in the second round of the 2024 Hong Kong Open on Thursday, 31 October.
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Fernandez's 2024 season has been marred by inconsistency and she has more often than not failed to string more than two consecutive wins together. Her best result was reaching the final in Eastbourne where she fell to Daria Kasatkina. She made the last eight in Qatar, Birmingham, and Cincinnati.
Fernandez has, however, been in good form since the US Open, reaching the third round at Wuhan, before the quarterfinals at the Toray Pan Pacific Open where she fell to the eventual champion. She opened her campaign in Hong Kong with a dominant 6-2, 6-2, win over Heather Watson.
Birrell, meanwhile, has spent her time equally between the WTA tour and ITF and Challenger tours. Before the Japan Open last week, her best result on the senior tour was reaching the quarterfinal at the Nottingham Open. She has picked up one title at the ITF level at Fukuoka International, Japan.
At the Japan Women's Open a couple of weeks ago where she competed last, Birrell reached the final where she lost to Suzan Lamens. She opened her campaign in Hong Kong this week with a routine 6-3, 6-4 victory over Ana Bogdan.
Leylah Fernandez vs Kimberly Birrell head-to-head
Leylah Fernandez and Kimberly Birrell have yet to face off professionally so their head-to-head is currently locked at 0-0
Leylah Fernandez vs Kimberly Birrell odds
(Odds to be added once available)
Leylah Fernandez vs Kimberly Birrell prediction
Leylah Fernandez heads into this second-round encounter at the Hong Kong Open with a 27-22 win-loss record for the year, compared to Kimberly Birrell's 40-26, with the latter achieving most of her successes on the ITF and Challenger circuits, against much lower-ranked opposition. The Canadian has also thrived primarily on hardcourt, while Birrell's strengths lie on clay and grass.
Both players secured straight-set victories in their Hong Kong openers. Fernandez displayed an aggressive game, excelling on serve, attacking the net, and going for winners at every opportunity. Birrell, meanwhile, dominated the return exchanges and longer rallies.
Fernandez looks to be the clear favorite against Birrell in their upcoming second-round clash, given her superior hardcourt prowess and experience. Birrell is likely to face a significant challenge in advancing past the third seed despite being in good form herself. She is also yet to pick up a win against a top-30-ranked player, further tipping the scales in Fernandez's favor.
Pick: Leyla Fernandez to win in straight sets.
