Shnaider beats Fernandez to win Tokyo title
TOKYO, Japan — Russia's Diana Shnaider won her first title of the year on Sunday with a hard-fought 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Canada's Leylah Fernandez in the Pan Pacific Open final in Tokyo.
World number 13 Shnaider looked to be cruising to victory after winning the first set and taking a 4-0 lead in the second.
World number 23 Fernandez came back to win the second set, but Shnaider regained control to close out the match and pick up the sixth title of her career.
"It means definitely a lot," she said on court after receiving the trophy.
"It's a great achievement and a great finish to the season."
It was Shanider's first title since Monterrey in August last year.
Fernandez went into the final with 16 wins in her previous 20 matches.
That run included victory at the Singapore Open in September and a runner-up finish at last week's Ningbo Open in China behind world number one Elena Rybakina.
Fernandez struggled with her serve, double-faulting five times throughout the match and landing only half of her first serves in the first set.
She got it together when it mattered though, stunning Shnaider in the second set with some tenacious tennis to even the score at one set each.
Shnaider regained her composure as she returned for the final set, breaking Fernandez twice to leave herself serving for the match at 5-2.
She clinched the title on her first match point, celebrating with a calm pump of her fist.
Shnaider was appearing in her first final of the year after losing in the semi-finals four times before this week.
abtestabtest NLEX into last four By Olmin Leyba | 17 hours ago Making it a nightmarish Halloween gig for Phoenix, NLEX took the fastest route into the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup... Sports 'Canelo' Alvarez wins back WBC title from Mbilli in Riyadh 9 hours ago Saul "Canelo" Alvarez produced a convincing performance to defeat French fighter Christian Mbilli and regain... Sports Martin upsets Picasso to wrest WBC silver featherweight belt By Dino Maragay | 14 hours ago Rising Filipino boxing star Carl Jammes Martin scored the biggest win of his promising career after stunning former world... Sports Falcons Academy books MCT SEA berth with breakthrough MDL PH title By Michelle Lojo | 5 hours ago Team Falcons finally has a championship to show for its patience as its academy team captured the Mobile Legends Development... Sports Philippine Open boasts added firepower from foreign bets 5 hours ago The foreign contingent seeing action in the 108th Philippine Open will not lack the firepower, with former Asian Tour Order... Sports Latest More in Sports Tokong shines at home, advances to World Surf League Tour Round 2 Learning never stops for Ateneo prized rookie after falling short anew vs La Salle Eala plunges back into action vs Parks in Hong Kong Open UCAL volleyball: Immaculada Concepcion, LPU-B end elims first round with a blast abtest UST's Akowe cries foul over officiating in loss to NU By Ralph Edwin Villanueva | 4 hours ago “Be fair.” Sports Laopakdee rides rare 4-shot swing to retain Asia-Pacific crown; Dumdumaya squanders Top 6 bid 4 hours ago Jaden Dumdumaya's familiar late-round woes resurfaced at the worst possible time, while Fifa Laopakdee produced... Sports Bisera's ace seals thriller; Que rules PGT OOM anew 4 hours ago A clutch ace at the most crucial moment saved Yvon Bisera's season and delivered one of the narrowest victories in Ladies... Sports Maxey scores 38 to lead Sixers 'fighters' to another comeback win 5 hours ago Tyrese Maxey scored 38 points to spark the Philadelphia 76ers in a fightback 109-104 NBA victory at Charlotte on Saturday ... Sports Recommended Senate could weed out thousands of infrastructure projects in budget 17 hours ago The Senate is poised to purge thousands of infrastructure projects that were inserted into the proposed 2027 national budget... SportsSENATE Marcos: Honor departed loved ones through kindness 17 hours ago President Marcos yesterday called on the Catholic faithful to honor those who have passed through acts of kindness, compassion... SportsFERDINAND "BONGBONG" MARCOS J VP offers prayers for Yolanda victims 17 hours ago Vice President Sara Duterte offered prayers for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, which struck Tacloban City on Nov. 8,... SportsSARA DUTERTE House to comply with SC order on impeachment vote threshold 17 hours ago The House of Representatives will comply with the order of the Supreme Court to comment on a petition challenging the validity... SportsHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Stricter transport safety, security checks sought 1 day ago Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people... SportsLTO next Recommended Senate could weed out thousands of infrastructure projects in budget The Senate is poised to purge thousands of infrastructure projects that were inserted into the proposed 2027 national budget if the Department of Public Works and Highways fails to submit complete supporting documents by Nov. 3. 17 hours ago SENATE Marcos: Honor departed loved ones through kindness President Marcos yesterday called on the Catholic faithful to honor those who have passed through acts of kindness, compassion and service to others. 17 hours ago FERDINAND "BONGBONG" MARCOS J VP offers prayers for Yolanda victims Vice President Sara Duterte offered prayers for the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, which struck Tacloban City on Nov. 8, 2013. 17 hours ago SARA DUTERTE House to comply with SC order on impeachment vote threshold The House of Representatives will comply with the order of the Supreme Court to comment on a petition challenging the validity of the Senate impeachment court’s ruling to lower the voting threshold to convict Vice President Sara Duterte. 17 hours ago HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Stricter transport safety, security checks sought Senate committee on public services chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo has urged agencies to ensure the safety of millions of people expected to travel to their provinces during the Undas holiday, calling for stricter inspections of public utility vehicles and tighter security at airports and seaports. 1 day ago LTO OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
