Anna Shcherbakova claims second Grand Prix win in China

Anna Shcherbakova was in a class of her own as she backed up her Skate America success with victory in the Cup of China.

The 15-year-old Russian landed two quad Lutzes to win the free skate by more than 10 points, and become the first woman to book her place in next month's Grand Prix Final in Turin.

Her triumph in Chongqing means all four of the ladies' singles events in this year's Grand Prix of Figure Skating have gone to Russians in their first senior campaign with Alexandra Trusova winning Skate Canada and Alena Kostornaia taking last week's Internationaux de France.

Satoko Miyahara was second with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva taking the last spot on the podium.

Shcherbakova told ISU.org afterwards, "The free program was good, but not perfect, there were some mistakes.

"I am very happy that I can go to the Grand Prix Final, that was my goal. I don’t know yet what my (program) content will be, but my goal will be as always to skate clean."

Russians shine in free skate

Shcherbakova was last to skate with a lead of over four points from Friday's short program.

Reverting to her free skate from last season, Tuktamysheva landed the first triple Axel of the women's competition and then another in a vibrant routine.

The 2015 world champion was not quite foot perfect on all of her jumps, but still managed a season's best of 143.53 for a total of 209.10.

Miyahara lacks the jumping power of the Russians, but she showed fine artistry and interpretation of music from Schindler's List.

She scored 142.27 which left her just behind Tuktamysheva on the day but second overall with 211.18.

The Japanese, fourth at PyeongChang 2018, competes again at next week's Rostelecom Cup in Moscow where a podium finish would see her reach the Grand Prix Final.

Tuktamysheva's second third place finish of the campaign means she faces a nervous wait to see if she makes it to Turin.

No such worries for Shcherbakova who looks set for major honours later this season.

The reigning Russian champion landed a quad Lutz-triple toe loop to start her routine followed by a quad Lutz although both quad jumps were called for under-rotation.

But the value of those skills alone puts her in a strong position and a couple of more solid combinations - a triple Lutz-triple loop and a triple flip-Euler-triple Salchow - saw her take victory.

Her score of 152.53 was more than six points down on her mark from Skate America, but her total of 226.06 was almost 15 points clear of her rivals.

You Young moved up to fourth after a disappointing short program left her down in seventh place.

The Korean had a much better day despite falling again on a triple Axel at the start of her routine, scoring 130.32 to take her total to 191.81, but finishing behind Tuktamysheva leaves her unlikely to make the Turin final.

European champion Sofia Samodurova also showed more of what she can done in the free skate, but could not move up from her fifth place overnight.

Amber Glenn was unable to repeat her fine showing in Friday's short program, omitting a triple Salchow from a combination and singling what should have been a triple Lutz.

The American scored 110.66 for a total of 178.35 and sixth place.

Russian success ice dance

Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov just held on to take victory in the ice dance.

The Russians were second in the free dance behind Madison Chock and Evan Bates with the Americans scoring a career-best 128.21 for a total of 208.55.

But Sinitsina and Katsalapov's lead of five points from the rhythm dance was enough as they tallied 209.90 to secure their first Grand Prix triumph.

Canada's Laurence Fourner Beaudry and Nikolaj Sorensen consolidated their third from overnight, finishing with 190.74.