Yuan Yue competes with Japan's Nao Hibino during the WTA Hong Kong Open, on Oct 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Sixth seed Yuan Yue reached the semifinals of the WTA Hong Kong Open by defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in straight sets on Friday.

Yuan, ranked 45th in the world, beat the United States' Kenin 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 20 minutes. She will now face British No. 1 and second seed Katie Boulter, who breezed past Russia's Anastasia Zakharova 6-4, 6-0.

Kenin, who won the Australian Open in 2020, has fallen to 88th in the world rankings. She came into the match following a loss to Zheng Qinwen in the WTA 500 Tokyo final, and appeared to struggle with a thigh injury, competing with a protective bandage.

"I knew my opponent played very well last week, but she wasn't at her best today due to injury," Yuan said after the match. "I felt I could perform well, and although there were some ups and downs during the match, I played better than in my previous match. I hope to continue this form into the next round."

Yuan rallied from a set down to defeat Japan's Nao Hibino in her previous match.

The other semifinal will be held between top seed Diana Shnaider of Russia and defending champion Leylah Annie Fernandez of Canada.

Shnaider beat the Netherlands' Suzan Lamens 6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-2, while third-seeded Fernandez defeated ninth seed Bernarda Pera of the U.S. 6-1, 7-6 (7).

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