Leylah Annie Fernandez’s title defence on the Hong Kong Open was delivered to a halt within the semifinals as she fell to Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday.
The Canadian, who had beforehand notched straight set victories over Heather Watson, Katie Birrell, and Bernarda Pera, was unable to withstand the facility and precision of Shnaider.
The highest seed fired 4 aces and transformed 5 of eight break level possibilities, securing her first profession win over the previous US Open finalist.
It was the third assembly between the 2 left handers this season, and a showdown of precision ball hanging from the baseline.
Shnaider performed an aggressive opening recreation and was rewarded, breaking serve within the opening recreation with a backhand winner. Nonetheless, Fernandez responded with a break of her personal and moved again forward 2-1. The opponents locked into a decent opening set from there, reaching the latter levels tied 4-all.
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Expensive unforced errors by the Laval native gave Shnaider a pivotal break of serve within the ninth recreation. A prolonged and laborious fought 11-minute service recreation then ensued, with the Canadian remarkably staving off 5 set factors. Shnaider lastly transformed her sixth, seizing the opening set 6-4 in 47 minutes.
The world No. 14 regarded to hold over her sturdy play into the second set. Making use of strain on return, the highest seed transformed her fourth break of the match within the third recreation to maneuver forward 2-1.
Trailing 3-2, Fernandez sought a medical timeout for her ankle, and she or he was noticeably affected shifting ahead.
With momentum on her aspect, Shnaider reeled off the next three video games to safe the win in a single hour and 27 minutes, and guide her spot within the ultimate.
