Victoria Mboko fought back to beat Leylah Fernandez in an all-Canadian encounter to reach the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday.
The 19-year-old recovered from a set down in the second semi-final against an initially buoyant Fernandez, who lost her way after calling for the physiotherapist early in the second set.
With her lower right thigh bandaged, Fernandez appeared preoccupied and momentum swung dramatically to Mboko, who grew in assertiveness as she proceeded to win 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Earlier, Cristina Bucsa raced into the final, brushing aside Maya Joint in straight sets.
A dominant display from Bucsa showed no mercy to her struggling Australian opponent, whose title hopes were ended by a 6-3, 6-1 margin at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium.
Cristina Bucsa in control against Maya Joint on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee
Joint, the world No 32, matched 29th-ranked Bucsa blow for blow in the early games, before the wheels came off the former’s campaign as the first set reached a decisive stage.