Katie Boulter slipped to a chastening 6-1 6-2 defeat to Russia’s Diana Shnaider
within the Hong Kong Open ultimate.
Boulter climbed into the world’s prime 25 for the primary time after reaching her third WTA Tour ultimate of the season, however was no match for her impressed opponent.
High seed Shnaider, 20, exterior the highest 100 in January, steamrollered her option to a fourth title of the season, reeling off a list of fresh winners towards the error-prone Briton.
She mentioned: “First of all I’d like to congratulate Diana for her win, what an incredible week, what an incredible season, you deserve every minute of it.
“I am very pleased, however you completely killed me at this time. I am going to get you subsequent time!
“I’ve obtained to say an enormous thanks to my group, half of you’re right here, half of you’re on the TV.
“You guys push me every day to try and be better and I’m sure I can bounce back from this one, but what a season we’ve had, thank you.”
Shnaider opened strongly, racing forward to 5-0 within the first set earlier than Boulter might even maintain her first service recreation.
She sealed that with a superb backhand landed throughout the courtroom.
Second seed Boulter made simply 59 per cent of her first serves within the opening set, making 10 unforced errors and there was little enchancment within the second as Shnaider maintained her dominance.
Shnaider pressured her option to deuce within the opening recreation of the second set and saved the strain on Boulter, ultimately forcing one other break of serve.
That left Boulter struggling towards the tide and Shnaider continued remorselessly to punish her service recreation, delivering a second break within the second set.
Boulter clawed a recreation her option to keep away from a bagel, although Shnaider was so decided she bashed her racket on the courtroom in frustration at not breaking the Briton but once more.
Shnaider blazed an ace previous Boulter to place herself 5-1 up within the second set. Urgent the Briton laborious, she reached championship level towards the Briton’s serve, however Boulter managed to steer herself via that recreation.
However the 20-year-old Shnaider wouldn’t be denied, placing winners previous Boulter to safe her fourth WTA title this season in imperious vogue in a single hour and 11 minutes.
“It feels amazing honestly,” Shnaider mentioned afterwards. “I hope it keeps going like this every season. I will do my best to work as hard as I can to achieve this.
“However I am very pleased, it is my final event of the season, and to complete it right here with a trophy, with my household at this loopy stadium, loopy environment, with this assist via the entire week, it is simply an gratifying week for me and so memorable.”
After winning titles in San Diego and Nottingham this year, Boulter lost a tour level final for the first time.
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
- WTA Finals Riyadh – (November 2-9)
- Belgrade Open – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Moselle Open, Metz – ATP 250 (November 3-9)
- Nitto ATP Finals, Turin – (November 10-17)
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app, giving Sky Sports activities prospects entry to over 50 per cent extra stay sport this 12 months at no further value. Discover out extra right here.
