TOKYO: Russia’s Diana Shnaider captured her first title of the season on Sunday, defeating Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in a hard-fought final at the Pan Pacific Open.
The world number 13 recovered after losing the second set to secure a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Fernandez, ranked 23rd in the world.
Following the win, the 22-year-old Shnaider immediately called her mother to share the moment.
“I was calling my mum — I wanted to hear her voice after winning a title and share a first few moments with her,” Shnaider said.
She added that her mother was surprised she had called so soon after finishing the match.
Shnaider Seals Sixth Title
The Tokyo triumph marked Shnaider’s first title since winning in Monterrey in August last year and the sixth of her professional career.
She appeared to be in control after taking the opening set and racing to a 4-0 lead in the second. However, Fernandez fought back with determined tennis to level the match at one set apiece.
Shnaider regained her composure in the deciding set, breaking Fernandez’s serve twice before converting her first match point to seal the championship.
“It was definitely a tight, close match,” Shnaider said. “It makes me even more happy that I was able to fight for the title and in the end win it.”
Fernandez Fights Back
Fernandez entered the final in strong form, having won 16 of her previous 20 matches.
Her recent run included victory at the Singapore Open in September and a runner-up finish at the Ningbo Open in China the previous week, where she lost to world number one Elena Rybakina.
The Canadian struggled with her serve early in the Tokyo final, recording five double faults and landing only half of her first serves in the opening set.
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She improved significantly in the second set, using aggressive and persistent play to overturn Shnaider’s early advantage and force a decider.
However, the Russian responded strongly in the final set to secure the title.
Emotional Finish
Shnaider said the victory meant a great deal to her, her family and her team, particularly after several unsuccessful attempts to reach a final earlier in the season.
She had reached the semi-finals four times before finally winning the title in Tokyo.
“I definitely means a lot to me, to my team, my family to finish on a high note,” she said.
Fernandez became emotional during her on-court interview as she thanked her family and revealed that she had received some bad news. She did not provide further details in the remarks included in the report.
For Shnaider, the victory provided a significant boost and a memorable end to her campaign in Tokyo.
