Diana Shnaider cruised past Katie Boulter 6-1 6-2 in the final of the WTA 250 in Hong Kong.
Shnaider earned an early break in the second game to take a 3-0 lead. The Russian player converted her sixth break point in the fourth game and held serve to 30 to race out to a 5-0 lead before Boulter saved a set point to hold her first service game for 1-5. Shnaider sealed the first set with a backhand across the court.
Shnaider went up a break in the first game of the second set at deuce and held serve at love to open up a 2-0 lead. The world number 14 player earned a second break in the third game to open up a 4-0 lead. Boulter held her serve in the fifth game to avoid the bagel. Shnaider hit an ace in the sixth game for 5-1 and earned a match point against Boulter’s serve, but the British player saved it for 2-5. Shnaider converted her second match point to claim her fourth WTA title of the season following her triumphs in Budapest, Bad Homburg and Hua Hin.
“It feels amazing honestly. I hope it keeps going like this every season. I will do my best to work as hard as I can to achieve this. I am very happy. It’s my last tournament of the season, and to finish it here with a trophy, with my family at this crazy stadium in this crazy atmosphere, with the support through the whole week. It’s just an enjoyable atmosphere for me and so memorable”, said Shnaider.
