Stephens, Bertens win in Singapore

The WTA Finals in Singapore continued with two matches in the Red Group completed.

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 Sloane Stephens (5)

Both players, the past two US Open champions, were making their debut appearances in a WTA Finals tournament, and against recent form, Stephens was first to dictate terms.

It took six games, following a nervous start where each player dropped serve, and then settled until 3-3.

There, Stephens broke an error ridden Osaka service game, but immediately ruined her own attempt from the line, when leading 40-30 she delivered two double faults and subsequently dropped serve.  After failing to convert a break chance in the ninth game, Stephens converted in the eleventh.

Serving for the set, on her third set point, Sloane was relieved to see Naomi put a forehand into the net and the American was 7-5 ahead.

Osaka used her backhand well in set two, both to save break points in the fifth game, and then to break the American serve in the next.

While failing to serve out the set at 5-3,  the Japanese number one successfully broke Stephens again in the tenth game to tie the match at a set apiece.

The decider was dominated by Stephens, who capitalised on a mounting number of Osaka errors, and converted three of nine break opportunities, eventually winning 7-5 4-6 6-1

• Angie Kerber (1) v Kiki Bertens (8)

Kerber began the better, solid all around the court, and winning more than half the points on the Bertens serve.  It was a nervous eighth seed, who couldn’t seem to put enough of her renowned power behind her shots to worry Kerber, whose defence was spot on.

6-1 and the German was on track for a smart opening win.

Down 0-2 in set two, things looked even bleaker for Kiki, but she settled into her rhythm to win three straight games.

A second break meant that Bertens was serving at 5-3 to square proceedings.  This she did and a third set was required.

Seven breaks of serve in the decider, and Bertens led 4-3.  Some rushed shot making produced errors in the Dutch players next service game (game 8) and she was trailing 0-40.  Some clutch big serves saved all break points, and serve was ultimately held. 5-3 and a single game away from a significant victory.

Kerber held serve, forcing Bertens to do the honours, and Kiki made no mistake.

A comeback win of terrific proportions, Kiki Bertens won 1-6 6-3 6-4

Points after Day Two

• Red Group
• Stephens 250
• Bertens 250
• Kerber 125
• Osaka 125            

• White Group
• Svitolina 250
• Pliskova 250
• Wozniacki 125
• Kvitová 125