19-year old Diana Shnaider from Russia will face China’s defending champion Zhu Lin for the Thailand Open title after both secured straight-set wins on Saturday.
It feels amazing to reach my second tour final. I have had good matches against amazing opponents this week. Every time you are in the final, it’s a new memory that you’re going to keep for your whole career. Diana Shnaider
Zhu booked her return to the Hua Hin final with an outstanding baseline performance to stop her countrywoman Wang Yafan in Saturday’s semi-finals, 6-3 6-2, in 84 minutes, while Shnaider upset 3rd-seeded Xinyu Wang, who is also from China, 6-2 7-6(5) after an hour and 38 minutes.
The Chinese entered the WTA 250 event at the back of a disappointing opening round exit at the Australian Open, where she was seeded 29th.
Zhu started the Thailand Open with a 6-4 7-5 win over Aussie Taylah Preston from Australia, and followed it up by defeating 18-year old Czech Linda Fruhvirtova, 6-2 6-2, to reach the quarter-finals, where she beat Australian No 1, Arina Rodionova, 6-3 6-3 to set up the semi-final clash against compatriot Wang Yafan.
The No 2 seed, who has not dropped a set in reaching Sunday’s final, used her consistent backcourt game to outhit her Wang.
“I’ve known Yafan since childhood,” said the 30-year-old, whose only WTA title came on this court a year ago. “I’m really happy to see her back on tour, and happy that we always push each other to be a better player.”
Zhu Lin booked her return to the Hua Hin final with an outstanding baseline performance to stop Wang Yafan in Saturday’s semi-finals.
WTAtennis.com
Shnaider also entered the Thailand Open at the back of an opening-round exit at the Australian Open.
The Russian faced top seed Magda Linette in the 1st-round and stunned the Pole, 6-4 1-6 6-1, to face Paula Badosa and was leading 6-2, 3-4 before the Spaniard retired due to injury.
In the quarter-finals, Shnaider beat Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi, 6-2 6-1, to set up her semi-final clash against 3rd-seeded Wang Xinyu.
The Russian started the match strongly and won the opening set with some ease, before finding herself down a break down in the second.
She broke back and held a match point, which Wang Xinyu saved as the Chinese forced the set into a tiebreak.
Here the Russian was not to be denied and she eventually registered the win to reach her second WTA Final.
Shnaider had made her 4th semi-final appearance in 7 months, and now is seeking her first WTA Tour title after losing her maiden final to Ons Jabeur in Ningbo, China, last September.
“It feels amazing to reach my second tour final,” the North Carolina State student said. “I have had good matches against amazing opponents this week.
“Every time you are in the final, it’s a new memory that you’re going to keep for your whole career.”
Shnaider leads 1-0 in the head-to-head against Zhu, having previously beaten the Chinese, 6-4 6-0, in the 1st-round of last year’s Jiangxi Open.
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