Jabeur defeats Shnaider to win her first hard-court title in Ningbo.

Ons Jabeur defeated Diana Shnaider in the Ningbo Open final in three games to win her fifth Hologic WTA Tour title and first on hard courts.

No.1 seed Ons Jabeur won her fifth Hologic WTA Tour title, second in 2023, and first on hard courts with a 6-2, 6-1 victory over unseeded teenager Diana Shnaider in a 78-minute final at the Ningbo Open.

Following her third-round loss to Martina Trevisan in Guadalajara last week, the Tunisian, who is currently ranked eighth in the Race to the WTA Finals Cancun, accepted a last-minute wild card into the WTA 250 tournament. Jabeur had previously won the Charleston title on green clay in April, but this was her first final appearance since losing 6-4, 6-4 to Marketa Vondrousova at Wimbledon.

Jabeur had been taken to three sets twice this week, once by Vera Zvonareva in the quarterfinals and once by Nadia Podoroska in the semifinals. However, the 29-year-old delivered a rock-solid performance in the title match, maintaining a consistent level of performance throughout with no dips in form.

Jabeur was able to maintain aggressive pressure on Shnaider without taking low-percentage risks throughout, finishing with 18 winners to only 10 unforced errors and saving all three break points she faced. It wasn't until the final game that she began to show off her signature touch shots, including a leaping, angled high backhand volley and a cat-and-mouse exchange that began with a drop shot return.

“I felt tactically I played very well, I had an advantage in that I had more experience than her to manage certain points,” Jabeur said. “Playing a final here is more relaxed than playing a Grand Slam final, but I think it will help me gain confidence more, and to help me manage the pressure and stress.”

Shnaider, ranked 85th, reached her first career final in only her ninth WTA tournament main draw. She was ranked No. 220 a year ago when she started her freshman year at North Carolina State. She was ranked in the Top 100 while still in college before turning pro in May, and she is set to set a new career high in the Top 70 on Monday.

SportsLigue