In the championship match of the Ningbo Open, Ons Jabeur of Tunisia prevailed against Diana Shnaider with a strong performance, winning 6-2 and 6-1.
In China, Jabeur won her fifth WTA Tour championship in 78 minutes to move up to seventh place in the women’s rankings. China marks Jabeur’s fifth WTA Tour success.
The 29-year-old player, who entered the competition by a late wildcard, won against the 19-year-old player ranked 85th overall Shnaider after hitting 18 aces and winning shots.
“These are little steps to winning a Grand Slam final,” said Jabeur, who has not yet won a major championship. “These are little steps to winning a Grand Slam.”
During the previous 15 months, she competed in the finals of three Grand Slam tournaments but lost all of them, including twice at Wimbledon and once at the US Open.
“Playing a final here is more relaxed than playing a final at a Grand Slam tournament,” she continued, “but I think it will help me gain more confidence, and it will help me manage the pressure and stress.”
Jessica Pegula of the United States advanced to the championship match of the Pan Pacific Open by virtue of a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Maria Sakkari of Greece.
“The faster courts here probably help me a little more than the slower surfaces I’ve played her on in the past,” said Pegula. “I’ve played her on slower surfaces in the past.”
“I made an effort to capitalize on that opportunity.”
Veronika Kudermetova, who prevailed over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a grueling match that lasted three hours and 25 minutes in Tokyo and featured seven ties and eight breaks of serve, will be her next opponent.
“In terms of my body, I’m doing fine. Kudermetova, who advanced to the semifinals by defeating Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals, stated that she is capable of playing another match in the same manner.
“I have never had a problem with my physical fitness. Mentally, there are moments when it just isn’t enough.”
