Sixth-seeded Yuan Yue of China reached the semifinals of the Hong Kong Open by defeating former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the USA in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in south China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region on Friday.

Yuan, ranked 45th in the world, beat Kenin in one hour and 20 minutes. She will take on second-seeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain next, with a spot in the title match at stake.

Kenin, who won the Australian Open in 2020, has fallen to 88th in the world rankings. She came into the quarterfinal match in Hong Kong after losing to Yuan's compatriot Zheng Qinwen in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo on Wednesday, and appeared to struggle with a thigh injury as she competed 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 knocked out two-time Grand Slam winner Simona Halep of Romania in the first round in Hong Kong, and rallied from a set down to defeat Japan's Nao Hibino in the round of 16.