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Shnaider withstands Fernandez comeback to win her sixth singles title

Diana Shnaider secured her first title of the season in Tokyo after Leylah Fernandez fought back from a large second-set deficit. The Russian saved three break points early in the decider and won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. Her sixth career singles trophy followed four earlier semi-final defeats this year and extended her winning run in WTA finals.

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Over an anonymous tournament attendant's shoulder, the singles winner's trophy rests on a presentation table beside the tennis court in Tokyo.

Three break points saved in the decider

Diana Shnaider lifted the Toray Pan Pacific Open trophy in Tokyo after defeating Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. It was the player’s sixth singles title and her first this season. The third seed recovered after losing a large lead in the second set, then faced three break points early in the third.[1], [2]

She saved all three opportunities and held for 1-1. After both players protected serve again, Shnaider broke in the fifth game and swept the remaining games. Fernandez had forced the deciding set by winning seven of eight games from 4-0 down in the second.[1]

Six consecutive finals won

On the women’s tennis tour, Shnaider had lost her four previous semi-finals this year. Tokyo ended that sequence and extended her unbeaten run in finals to six. Her only loss in a tour final remains the 2023 Ningbo match against Ons Jabeur. Four of Shnaider’s titles have come on hard courts; Tokyo was her third title at the WTA 500 level.[1]

Fernandez loses a second successive final

Shnaider has now won their last four meetings after losing the first two. This year’s victories also included Adelaide and Charleston. Fernandez arrived after finishing runner-up in Ningbo and suffered only her fifth defeat in 21 matches. That run had also brought the Canadian her sixth career title in Singapore.[1]

References

  1. News sourceWTAShnaider beats Fernandez in three sets in Tokyo final↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceTennis MajorsShnaider takes Tokyo title after three-set final↩

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