Closely Contested Match in Hong Kong: Shuko Aoyama/Eri Hozumi v Ulrikke Eikeri/Makoto Ninomiya in 4K

This video shows the recent match between Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi versus Ulrikke Eikeri and Makoto Ninomiya at the Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024, held in Victoria Park, Hong Kong, from October 28 to November 3, 2024.

Tournament Context
The Hong Kong Tennis Open 2024 was part of the WTA 250 series, featuring both singles and doubles competitions on outdoor hard courts. The doubles draw included eight teams, with the final scheduled for November 3, 2024. This event marked the 11th edition of the tournament, resuming after a period of discontinuity, and was significant for its role in the Asian swing of the WTA Tour.

Match Details
The final match pitted the fourth-seeded pair, Shuko Aoyama and Eri Hozumi from Japan, against the third-seeded duo of Ulrikke Eikeri from Norway and Makoto Ninomiya from Japan. The match was a best-of-three sets encounter, with the following detailed scoreline:

First Set: Eikeri/Ninomiya won 6-4, demonstrating strong serving and return games early on.
Second Set: Aoyama/Hozumi fought back, winning 6-4, leveling the match and showcasing resilience.
Third Set (Match Tiebreak): The decisive tiebreak ended with Eikeri/Ninomiya winning 11-9, securing the title in a nail-biting finish.

Detailed statistics from the match, as reported by the official WTA website, include service and return metrics, highlighting the competitive nature of the encounter. For instance, both teams had zero aces, but Eikeri/Ninomiya had fewer double faults (7 vs. 2), which may have contributed to their edge in critical moments.

Below is a table summarizing key match statistics:

| Category | Eikeri/Ninomiya | Aoyama/Hozumi |
|--------------------------|---------------------|-------------------|
| Aces | 0 | 0 |
| Double Faults | 7 | 2 |
| 1st Serve % | 65.7% (46/70) | 80% (52/65) |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 65.2% (30/46) | 63.5% (33/52) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 45.8% (11/24) | 38.5% (5/13) |
| Break Points Saved | 71.4% (10/14) | 33.3% (2/6) |
| Total Points Won | 50.4% (68/135) | 49.6% (67/135) |

These statistics underscore the tight competition, with Eikeri/Ninomiya slightly outperforming in total points won, which was crucial in the tiebreak.

Player Backgrounds
Ulrikke Eikeri (Norway): A professional since 2010, Eikeri peaked at No. 26 in WTA doubles rankings in April 2024. She has won four WTA doubles titles, including this one, and reached the mixed doubles final at the 2022 French Open. Her partnership with Ninomiya proved effective, leveraging her experience in high-stakes matches.
Makoto Ninomiya (Japan): A seasoned doubles player, Ninomiya has a strong track record on the WTA Tour, often partnering with various players. Her collaboration with Eikeri in Hong Kong was part of a successful 2024 season, adding to her title tally.
Shuko Aoyama (Japan): Known for her doubles prowess, Aoyama has multiple WTA titles and is a consistent performer in the doubles circuit. Her partnership with Hozumi aimed to capitalize on their home advantage.
Eri Hozumi (Japan): Another Japanese doubles specialist, Hozumi complements Aoyama well, with a career highlighted by several WTA Challenger and ITF titles. Their loss in the final was a close call, reflecting their competitive standing.

An interesting observation is the cross-national pairing of Eikeri and Ninomiya, contrasting with the all-Japanese pair of Aoyama and Hozumi, which added a layer of intrigue to the final. The match's outcome, with Eikeri/Ninomiya winning, highlighted their strategic adaptability, particularly in the tiebreak, where mental fortitude was key.

Attribution:
Women's Tennis Association (WTA)
Publisher: WTATv
URL: wtatv.com

The content on this channel is created for educational and informational purposes only. All materials, including but not limited to video footage, images, and audio, are used under the principles of fair use for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. No copyright infringement is intended. If you are a copyright holder and believe your work has been used inappropriately, please contact me directly, and I will promptly address your concerns.

Thanks for watching!