Shnaider beats Fernandez in Tokyo final to extend perfect WTA finals run

Tokyo: Russia’s Diana Shnaider overcame a second-set collapse to beat Canada’s Leylah Fernandez 6-4 5-7 6-2 on Sunday and claim the Pan Pacific Open title in Tokyo. Shnaider eased through the first set but looked in trouble after relinquishing the second. She had to defend three break points early in the decider before going on to clinch victory in two hours and 18 minutes. The 22-year-old has now won six straight finals on the WTA tour. The opening set belonged to Shnaider. She kept her rhythm and gave Fernandez few chances to settle. A 6-4 first set put her in control, but tennis matches rarely follow a straight line, and this final proved no exception. Fernandez responded in the second set, raising her level and keeping the contest alive. In the second set, Shnaider’s control slipped. Fernandez took advantage, extended the rallies and claimed the set 7-5. That pushed the match into a deciding set and turned the final into a test of nerve as much as skill. The third set began with pressure on Shnaider. She had to save three break points early, and those moments could have changed the direction of the match. Instead, she held firm, found her range and gradually took control. From there, she closed out the decider 6-2 to secure the title. After the match, Shnaider thanked her coach and celebrated the significance of the win. She said: “I want to say thanks to and congratulate my coach, who is here with me, for achieving our first title this season. It definitely means a lot, a great achievement and great finish of this season.” For Shnaider, the title is another marker of her consistency in finals. Winning six straight WTA finals shows that she can handle the pressure of the last match of a tournament. Finals bring a different kind of tension, with expectations, stakes and little room for error. In Tokyo, Shnaider showed composure when the match became difficult. Fernandez was playing in her second straight final after losing to world number one Elena Rybakina at the Ningbo Open last week. She had won the Singapore Open in September and arrived in Tokyo with positive form. Although she fell short in the final, her run underlined her ability to compete deep into tournaments. Fernandez was gracious in defeat. She said: “I would like to congratulate Diana. Congratulations. An amazing week, a great match. Congratulations to you and your team. Hopefully we can have many more battles like this one.” Tactically, the first set showed Shnaider’s ability to control rallies and keep Fernandez from building momentum. The second set revealed how quickly a match can shift when the opponent becomes more aggressive. The third set, however, was decided by Shnaider’s resilience. Saving three break points early in the decider gave her a platform, and she used it well. The win also reflects the importance of Shnaider’s team. Her coach was with her in Tokyo, and her post-match comments made clear that the title was a collective achievement. Winning a first title of the season late in the year can provide confidence ahead of the next campaign. The Pan Pacific Open is a significant stop on the women’s calendar, especially at the end of a long season. Players must manage fatigue, focus and pressure. Shnaider handled those demands well and finished the week with the trophy. For Fernandez, the loss is painful but not a step backward. Reaching consecutive finals is a sign of consistency, and her Singapore Open title earlier in the season shows what she can achieve when she finds her best level. She remains a dangerous opponent on hard courts. The final also underlined how tight competition at the top of women’s tennis has become. Matches are often decided by a few points, and the ability to make the right decisions under pressure separates winners from runners-up. Shnaider made those decisions in the decisive set. In other tennis news, Carlos Alcaraz reached his first Vienna final and was set to face Alex de Minaur after Alexander Zverev was upset. But in Tokyo, the focus was on Shnaider’s victory and Fernandez’s resilience. Overall, the Tokyo final was a compelling contest. Shnaider showed that a lost second set need not define a match if a player can regain control. Fernandez showed fight and quality in defeat. Both players leave Tokyo with lessons and reasons for optimism, while Shnaider leaves with the title and the continuation of an impressive run in WTA finals.