Katie Boulter’s strong run in Hong Kong came to a brutal end on Sunday when she was thoroughly outplayed in the final by the top seed, Diana Shnaider, who dismantled the British No 1 player 6-1, 6-2 to win her fourth WTA title of the season.
Boulter, the second seed, was outgunned from the beginning by Shnaider, a strong left-hander with a heavy forehand. As Shnaider continually took the first strike and forced Boulter into uncomfortable positions around the court, she exposed the vulnerable points of Boulter’s game. The Briton overpressed, she lost confidence in her serve and she had no alternative plan against a relentless opponent.
