WTA Toronto: Defending champion Pegula sees off in-form Shnaider

American Jessica Pegula, the No 3 seed, won against Russian Diana Shnaider, the No 14 seed, 6-4, 6-3 to move into the final of the WTA National Bank Open at the Aviva Centre on Sunday night.

Pegula is the defending champion in Canada, and will play Amanda Anisimova for the title next. It will be her first Masters 1000 final of the season, with the American making three so far across her career.

The American beat Karolina Pliskova (7-5, 6-4), qualifier Ashlyn Krueger (6-2, 6-4) and Peyton Stearns (6-4, 7-5) ahead of her victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Shnaider, ranked No 24, won against lucky loser Harriet Dart (6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2)), Pole Magdalena Frech (2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5)), American Coco Gauff, the top seed (6-4, 6-1) and No 6 seed Liudmila Samsonova (4-6, 6-1, 6-4).

Toronto WTA 1000, other semi-final result (Aviva Centre, hard, USD 3.211.715):

• Amanda Anisimova beat Emma Navarro (8): 6-3, 2-6, 6-2