Hontama beats Panova 7-5 6-1 in Beijing qualifying

Mai Hontama defeated Alexandra Panova 7-5, 6-1 in the qualifying semifinals of the WTA 1000 event in Beijing, played on hard courts. The Japanese player landed 55.6 percent of her first serves, winning 66.7 percent of those points and 54.2 percent behind her second delivery, with four aces and three double faults. She faced four break points and saved one. Panova put 60.9 percent of her first serves in play but won 48.7 percent of those points and 44 percent on her second serve, striking two aces against three double faults while saving eight of the 14 break points she faced.