Zheng defeats Shnaider and books clash with Kenin in Tokyo final

Zheng Qinwen overcame a spirited challenge from Diana Shnaider to secure a hard-fought 7-6(5) 6-3 victory in her Pan Pacific Open semi-final on Saturday and set up a title clash against American Sofia Kenin.

Zheng sealed a place in the Tokyo final for the second time in her career, where she will look to make amends for her 2022 loss to Liudmila Samsonova.

The Olympic champion wasted little time in the semi-final, breaking twice in quick succession to take a 4-0 lead and put Shnaider behind, but a drop in Zheng’s level gave the Russian a chance to recover. contest.

Shnaider won three straight games to leave the first set at 4-3, before defending three set points to keep the pressure on for 5-4 and then saving another to break Zheng’s serve for the second time and level at 5-5.

Zheng recovered to force a tiebreaker, where the 22-year-old won three consecutive points to take the first set.

Early in the second set, Zheng’s first serve percentage plummeted and Shnaider broke for 2-1, but the top seed broke again and again to take a 4-2 lead she wouldn’t relinquish.

“It wasn’t an easy match. Especially because I was so far ahead with a lot of set points, and then at the end of the set, in the tiebreaker, it wasn’t easy,” Zheng said.

“I’m happy to always be there (in the match). No matter what happens on the court today. I’m happy to be in the final again because I was here two years ago.”

Earlier, 2020 Australian Open champion Kenin easily overcame British number one Katie Boulter 6-4 6-4 in just under 90 minutes to reach her first singles final since San Diego last year.

Kenin, 25, also finished runner-up at the French Open in 2020 and reached a career-high fourth place finish that season before injuries, illnesses and off-court issues caused her to drop down the rankings. .

“I think she’s a very good player, she has a good groundstroke and some great drop shots,” Zheng said of Kenin.

“Of course, if she is in the final, it means that it is very difficult to beat her in this tournament. Tomorrow I will do my best and we will see what happens.” REUTERS