The WTA Finals in Singapore continued with two more matches in the White 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 (White Group)
- Caroline Wozniacki (2) v Petra Kvitová (4)
Serves were held in the opening seven games, but it was Wozniacki who displayed a more compelling all court brand of tennis, moving well, tight defence handling the all out attack from Kvitová. And it was the occasional rush to end points early, maybe with an explosive cross court winner or blazing return, that brought Petra undone. Errors came at the wrong time with some of these attempts, and Caroline broke serve in game eight, then served for the set. Kvitová dialled into the match seriously, breaking back and having a chance to break again at 5-5 but Wozniacki held. The Dane then struck a vital blow to the Czech serve, taking the set 7-5.
Wozniacki was treated for a knee injury in set two, and although she levelled at 3-3, Kvitová won the final three games and the set 6-3.
Wozniacki dominated in the decider, winning 77% of points on her serve and 52% of points on her opponent’s serve.
Saving the only break point she faced, Caroline Wozniacki converted both chances presented her and defeated Petra Kvitová 7-5 3-6 6-2.
The first win for Caroline over Petra since the 2014 WTA Finals in Singapore. 40 winners not enough for Kvitová.
- Elina Svitolina (6) v Karolina Pliskova (7)
Elina Svitolina has been the star in the opening three days of the WTA Finals, firstly taking Petra Kvitová to the cleaners, and now accounting for Karolina Pliskova, to remain undefeated in her group, and in a strong position to reach the semi finals.
Her win over Pliskova was not as straightforward however.
The third game of the opening set lasted 15 minutes, and Svitolina had to save six break points before holding serve. In the eighth game it was the aggressive Ukrainian who finally found a way to crack the solid Pliskova serve, and Svitolina consolidated with a service hold to take the set 6-3
Pliskova lifted her game in set two, and her powerful serve dictated terms completely. Winning 12 of 13 points on her first serve, Pliskova also won 12 of 22 points on all of Svitolina’s serves.
Facing no break points, the Czech player converted both of her break chances to win the set 6-2 and force a decider.
The third set saw Svitolina back in charge, her court coverage placing huge pressure on Pliskova, and producing a 4-0 lead.
Fighting hard, Karolina broke back twice, only for Elina to reply in kind and win 6-3 2-6 6-3, complete with 29 winners.
Points after Day Three
- Red Group
- Stephens 250
- Bertens 250
- Kerber 125
- Osaka 125
- White Group
- Svitolina 500
- Pliskova 375
- Wozniacki 375
- Kvitová 250
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