Leylah Annie Fernandez’s title defence at the Hong Kong Open was brought to a halt in the semifinals as she fell to Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday.
The Canadian, who had previously notched straight set victories over Heather Watson, Katie Birrell, and Bernarda Pera, was unable to resist the power and precision of Shnaider.
The top seed fired four aces and converted five of eight break point chances, securing her first career win over the former US Open finalist.
It was the third meeting between the two left handers this season, and a showdown of precision ball striking from the baseline.
Shnaider played an aggressive opening game and was rewarded, breaking serve in the opening game with a backhand winner. However, Fernandez responded with a break of her own and moved back ahead 2-1. The competitors locked into a tight opening set from there, reaching the latter stages tied 4-all.
Read more: Stakusic wins biggest career title yet in Mexico
Costly unforced errors by the Laval native gave Shnaider a pivotal break of serve in the ninth game. A lengthy and hard fought 11-minute service game then ensued, with the Canadian remarkably staving off five set points. Shnaider finally converted her sixth, seizing the opening set 6-4 in 47 minutes.
The world No. 14 looked to carry over her strong play into the second set. Applying pressure on return, the top seed converted her fourth break of the match in the third game to move ahead 2-1.
Trailing 3-2, Fernandez sought a medical timeout for her ankle, and she was noticeably affected moving forward.
With momentum on her side, Shnaider reeled off the following three games to secure the win in one hour and 27 minutes, and book her spot in the final.