Everything in fiction is predetermined. Her actions were not so out of character that this thread became necessary to make. Could and woulda are going to exist. It just like winning an argument in the shower. She did what she believed could have worked. Shinki wasn’t even using his full arsenal as his father stated. This wasn’t going to end in a one shotNope!
Sarada lost to Konohamuru fair and square.
Sarada lost to Mirai fair and square.
Sarada lost to the first Shin JR. she faced fair and square.
Sarada lost to the unnamed rouge shinobi in the OVA.
So that’s not the point, point is that if she should’ve put her best foot forward and she didn’t due to the writing so she lost but that’s not a big deal honestly. You win some or then you lose some and Sarada’s potential far surpasses Shinki’s so I don’t think there’s anything to cry about.
She did what she could. Shinki is simply stronger than her with clear advantages