Katie Boulter slipped to a chastening 6-1 6-2 defeat to Russia’s Diana Shnaider
within the Hong Kong Open last.
Boulter climbed into the world’s high 25 for the primary time after reaching her third WTA Tour last of the season, however was no match for her impressed opponent.
High seed Shnaider, 20, exterior the highest 100 in January, steamrollered her approach to a fourth title of the season, reeling off a list of unpolluted winners towards the error-prone Briton.
She stated: “First of all I’d like to congratulate Diana for her win, what an incredible week, what an incredible season, you deserve every minute of it.
“I am very comfortable, however you completely killed me right this moment. I am going to get you subsequent time!
“I’ve bought to say a large thanks to my workforce, half of you’re right here, half of you’re on the TV.
“You guys push me every day to try and be better and I’m sure I can bounce back from this one, but what a season we’ve had, thank you.”
Shnaider opened strongly, racing forward to 5-0 within the first set earlier than Boulter may even maintain her first service sport.
She sealed that with an excellent backhand landed throughout the court docket.
Second seed Boulter made simply 59 per cent of her first serves within the opening set, making 10 unforced errors and there was little enchancment within the second as Shnaider maintained her dominance.
Shnaider pressured her approach to deuce within the opening sport of the second set and stored the stress on Boulter, finally forcing one other break of serve.
That left Boulter struggling towards the tide and Shnaider continued remorselessly to punish her service sport, delivering a second break within the second set.
Boulter clawed a sport her approach to keep away from a bagel, although Shnaider was so decided she bashed her racket on the court docket in frustration at not breaking the Briton but once more.
Shnaider blazed an ace previous Boulter to place herself 5-1 up within the second set. Urgent the Briton arduous, she reached championship level towards the Briton’s serve, however Boulter managed to steer herself via that sport.
However the 20-year-old Shnaider wouldn’t be denied, putting winners previous Boulter to safe her fourth WTA title this season in imperious style in a single hour and 11 minutes.
“It feels amazing honestly,” Shnaider stated afterwards. “I hope it keeps going like this every season. I will do my best to work as hard as I can to achieve this.
“However I am very comfortable, it is my final event of the season, and to complete it right here with a trophy, with my household at this loopy stadium, loopy environment, with this help via the entire week, it is simply an pleasing week for me and so memorable.”
After winning titles in San Diego and Nottingham this year, Boulter lost a tour level final for the first time.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
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