Hong Kong Open: Shnaider wins fourth title of the season
The top-seeded Russian defeated Katie Boulter in straight sets to win the title on Sunday
Diana Shnaider, Toronto 2024
Top seed Diana Shnaider, of Russia, captured the Hong Kong Open title by beating second seed Katie Boulter 6-1, 6-2 in one hour and 11 minutes at Victoria Park, Causeway Bay on Sunday.
The Russian hit 21 winners in the match, one more than Boulter but the Brit was undone by 26 unforced errors as compared to just eight for Shnaider.
This is the fourth title of the season for the 20-year-old, who also won WTA titles in Budapest, Bad Homburg and Hua Hin this year, and her 42nd match victory on the tour of the year. She is now tied with Aryna Sabalenka in second position for most WTA titles won in 2024, with only Iga Swiatek ahead with five titles.
Shnaider, ranked No 14, defeated Japanese qualifier Kyoka Okamura (6-3, 6-3), Australian Priscilla Hon (6-4, 6-1), Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens (6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-2) and Canadian Leylah Fernandez, the No 3 seed (6-4, 6-2) in previous rounds.
Earlier in the week, Boulter, ranked No 29, beat Japanese Aoi Ito (6-4, 6-4), Chinese Xiyu Wang (7-6 (7), 6-4), Russian Anastasia Zakharova (6-4, 6-0) and Chinese Yue Yuan, the No 6 seed (6-2, 5-7, 6-2). This was the Brit’s first loss in a WTA final after going 3-0 in her first three finals.
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