Boulter, the second seed, was outgunned from the beginning by Shnaider, a strong left-hander with a heavy forehand. Shnaider continually took the first strike and forced Boulter into uncomfortable positions around the court, exposing the vulnerable points of Boulter's game. Boulter overpressed, lost confidence in her serve, and had no alternative plan against a relentless opponent.
Shnaider, the top seed, dismantled Boulter with a 6-1, 6-2 victory, marking her fourth WTA title of the season. With this win, Shnaider continues to establish herself as one of the most promising young players on the tour, rising from No 108 to a career high of No 12.
Despite ending her season with a one-sided defeat, the past two weeks have marked significant progress for Boulter. Her decision to play an extended swing in Asia paid off with a semi-final in Tokyo and a final in Hong Kong.
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