HUA HIN, Thailand (AP) — Rising Russian star Diana Shnaider bounced back from a turbulent second set to upend defending champion Zhu Lin of China 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 for her maiden title at the WTA Thailand Open on Sunday.
In the second, Zhu mounted a comeback, winning four consecutive games from 2-2, to force a decisive third set.
Following a toilet break, Shnaider returned to the court with renewed intensity.
As Zhu struggled to maintain focus, Shnaider seized the opportunity to break her opponent three times to clinch the decisive set and claim her first WTA title.
Photos You Should See View All 45 ImagesIt was Shnaider’s second WTA final appearance, having previously lost to Ons Jabeur in Ningbo, China last September.
Persons:
HUA, Diana Shnaider, Zhu Lin, Zhu, Shnaider, “, I’m, ” Shnaider, ”, Miyu Kato, Aldila, Guo, Xinyu Jiang, ___
Organizations:
WTA Thailand, North Carolina State University, WTA
Locations:
HUA HIN, Thailand, China, Ningbo, Japan, Indonesia, Auckland, Cleveland