Top-seeded Ons Jabeur captured her fifth career WTA Tour title on Saturday following a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Russian teenager Diana Shnaider in the final of the Ningbo Open in China.
Jabeur, who is a three-time Grand Slam finalist, recorded 18 winners against 10 unforced errors to dispatch Shnaider in 78 minutes. The 29-year-old Tunisian claimed her second title of the season, with the first coming in Charleston in April.
"These are little steps to winning a Grand Slam final," 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."
Jabeur also saved all three break points she faced from the 19-year-old Shnaider.
Toray Pan Pacific Open
Second-seeded Jessica Pegula posted a 6-2, 6-3 win over fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari of Greece to advance to the final in Tokyo.
Pegula reached her fourth final this season after recording 21 winners and broke Sakkari's serve on five of her eight break point opportunities.
She will bid for her second title of the season on Sunday against eighth-seeded Veronika Kudermetova, who notched a 7-6 (6), 6-7 (2), 6-3 win over fellow Russian countrywoman Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. Kudermetova reached her second final of the season after winning the match that lasted over three hours.
--Field Level Media REUTERS
