Laval’s Leylah Annie Fernandez was eliminated in two sets of 6-4, 6-2 at the hands of Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-final of the Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday.
Third seed and 32nd in the WTA rankings, Fernandez started the match poorly, giving up her serve in the initial game. However, she reacted with authority by delighting the service of the 14th player in the world and favorite of the tournament.
The same scenario repeated itself in the seventh and eighth games of the first set, except that Shnaider, who is only 20 years old, scored a third break of serve, in the ninth game, to give herself a lead of 5-4.
The 22-year-old from Laval fought hard in the next game, even erasing four set points. Shnaider, however, converted the fifth to close the first set in 47 minutes.
The look of the second round was very different. Shnaider was much more efficient, especially in her serve, where she only conceded five points in four games and without facing the slightest break point.
On the other hand, Shnaider made a break of serve in the third game and a second in the seventh game. With a 5-2 lead and returning to serve, Shnaider won the eighth game without giving up a single point.
Fernandez, who was taking part in his first semi-final since the Eastbourne International Tournament at the end of last June, completed the match with two aces and four double faults.
Despite a better percentage of successful first serves than Shnaider (70% versus 61%), Fernandez only won 54% of points after placing his first serve in play, compared to 61% for his opponent.
Fernandez had two breaks of serve in three opportunities but only saved three of the eight break points she faced.
In the final on Sunday, Shnaider will face second-seeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain, who defeated China’s Yuan Yue in three sets 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
