British girls’s No. 1 Katie Boulter was comprehensively overwhelmed 6-1, 6-2 by prime seed Diana Shnaider within the Hong Kong Open closing on the Victoria Park Tennis Centre on Sunday.
Boulter was searching for to win her third WTA title of the 12 months however got here up quick towards her 20-year-old opponent.
“I simply need to say an enormous congratulations to Diana and her household, and her crew again residence,” Boulter mentioned. “What an unbelievable week, what an unbelievable season — you deserve each single minute of it … You completely killed me in the present day however I will get you subsequent time!”
Regardless of the defeat, the effective type Boulter has confirmed in Asia — she additionally reached the semifinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo final week — has seen her break into the highest 25 on the planet rankings for the primary time in her profession.
The Brit was no match for Shnaider within the opening levels of the match because the Russian left-hander raced right into a 5-0 lead that she finally transformed when Boulter made her tenth unforced error of the set.
Boulter constantly struggled along with her service recreation all through the match, making twice as many double faults (4) as aces (2) and successful simply 50% of first-serve factors.
Shnaider made equally gentle work of the second set, providing Boulter no manner again right into a contest with a succession of eye-catching forehand winners down the road.
The Russian’s triumph was her fourth WTA title and fourth top-level crown of the 12 months, having already gained the Dangerous Homburg Open, Hua Hin Championships and Budapest Grand Prix.
“It feels wonderful, actually. I hope it would hold going like this each season,” Shnaider mentioned. “I’ll do my finest and work as laborious as I can. I am very blissful.
“It is my final match of the season and to complete it right here with a trophy on this loopy environment with this assist. It is so memorable.”
