Shuai was the highest remaining seed at No. 6.
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The Czech lost out to Laura Siegemund in the Swedish Open final in July, but will have another chance to break her Tour duck against McHale, who had to battle hard to overcome Jana Cepelova 6-4 3-6 7-5.
Seventh-seeded McHale broke her opponent seven times including in the final game to secure the win at Ariake Tennis Park. Cepelova removed Japan’s last singles hope, Kurumi Nara, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, to reach her first semi in two years.
World No. 53 McHale was getting pushed all the way and looked headed for a straight-sets defeat against an all-round effort from Siniakova, before the lightest of rains stopped the match when McHale was a break down in the second set at 3-2.
McHale’s only previous WTA final was at Acapulco in 2014.
In a match of multiple twists and turns, McHale was very almost foiled at the last, Sinaikova rallying from 5-2 down to set up a tense conclusion.
“I don’t even want to put my trophy down – i just want to hold it all the time”, McHale said during the trophy presentation.
“It’s so exciting, I really wasn’t expecting this. Thanks to all the fans and everyone here for sticking through all the rain delays – we’ve had a few, especially today!”
But McHale’s nerve held steady, closing out an emotional victory when Siniakova sent a backhand wide.
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“I tried to stay closer to the baseline, she was really pushing me back”, said McHale.
