The WTA Finals in Singapore has reached the semi final stage, with the final two round robin matches in the Red Group played
Red Group (as seeded)
Angie Kerber (1)
Naomi Osaka (3)
Sloane Stephens (5)
Kiki Bertens (8)
White Group (as seeded)
Caroline Wozniacki (2)
Petra Kvitová (4)
Elina Svitolina (6)
Karolina Pliskova (7)
Results (Red Group)
- Naomi Osaka (3) v Kiki Bertens (8)
Osaka survived three Bertens winners and a break point to win the opening game. Bertens replied with big serving to level at 1-1.
An ace sealed an easier service game for Osaka who led 2-1, and Bertens had to visit deuce a couple of times before settling at 2-2.
Two straightforward holds and 3-3, before the first significant moment of the match.
Naomi found the net twice for 0-30, and a wide backhand brought up three break points for Kiki. Another loose backhand and the break occurred. Of more importance, Osaka was now suffering with injury to her leg.
Bertens consolidated, holding to love, thanks mainly to Osaka errors.
A medical time out for Osaka delayed resumption of play for ten minutes.
Osaka double faulted on the first point back, and a Bertens backhand winner gave her three set points.
Another double fault and Bertens won the set 6-3.
Sadly, Naomi couldn’t continue and retired, meaning Kiki Bertens was the first player in the Red Group through to the semis.
- Angie Kerber (1) v Sloane Stephens (5)
Angie defeated Sloane at Indian Wells in 2012, but Sloane was only about to turn 19 and was ranked 90 in the world. Angie was a top 20 player. The pair have met four times since, once each year from 2015 onwards, and the American has been successful on all occasions, including Miami this year.
Great forehands helped Stephens escape two break points to level at 1-1 in the opening set. Kerber replied with winning forehands of her own and it was 2-1 in a classy start.
Stephens was making it hard on herself though, needing to save three more break points, Kerber showing the crowd a variety of stunning shots to place continued pressure on her opponent.
Still it was even on the scoreboard.
Stephens returned her way to two break points, and it was Kerber who suffered the first loss of serve - her drop shot was successfully chased down and Stephens jumped for the overhead smash winner. 3-1
True to form, two further break chances were wasted by Kerber, who slipped to 2-4. Frustrated by her inability to convert seven chances, and maybe an ankle problem developed in the sixth game, Angie dropped another serve, this time to love.
Finally, when Stephens served for the set, Kerber grabbed her eighth break point and used it. Down 3-5, but back with a chance.
Stephens snuffed it out by breaking immediately for the third time and taking the set 6-3.
In a role reversal, it was Kerber saving break points early in set two. She held serve after saving one in the second game, then fought off seven in an epic fourth game. Unfortunately, eight was a bridge too far, and a drop shot found the net. Stephens led by a set and a break.
The Kerber resilience is to be admired, as she played her way back with smart baseline tennis, breaking and consolidating for 3-3.
Despite saving three more break points, Kerber relented on the fourth with a tired forehand only hitting the net.
Sloane Stephens served the match out 6-3 6-3, and won the final spot in the semis, topping the Red Group undefeated.
She will play Karolina Pliskova and Kiki Bertens will play Elina Svitolina
Points after Day Five
- Red Group
- Stephens 750 - First in group and semi finalist
- Bertens 625 - Second in group and semi finalist
- Kerber 500 - eliminated
- Osaka 375 - eliminated
- White Group
- Svitolina 750 - First in group and semi finalist
- Pliskova 625 - Second in group and semi finalist
- Wozniacki 500 - eliminated
- Kvitová 375 - eliminated
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