Barty wins Shenzhen, finishes #1

Finals day in Shenzhen.

Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzen - on Hard Indoor, in Shenzhen, China, 27 October - 3 November 2019.

Defending champion:

Elina Svitolina (6) who defeated Sloane Stephens (5) 3-6 6-2 6-2  

Final result

- Ash Barty (1) defeated Elina Svitolina (8) 6-4 6-3

Barty entered the match having lost all five encounters with Svitolina, including a thrilling three setter in Indian Wells this year.

The sixth tussle began with each player confident at the line, just eight points surrendered on serve in the first seven games.

The first crisis came in game nine, when Barty slipped from game point to break point down with Svitolina’s lob and volley put to best use. The top seed survived the scare, taking a couple more trips to deuce before doing so.

Then it was Barty’s turn to pose some questions. Svitolina had 40-30, but soon found herself facing set point - twice. These chances for Barty evaporated, the second via a brilliant Ukrainian passing shot.

However, the Australian used the third break opportunity well, a forehand return winner clinching the set 6-4.

Set two began with two holds of serve, Svitolina taken to deuce in her effort from the line.

Then Barty’s worst contribution for the match, a bunch of backhand blunders capped off with a double fault to donate a break of serve to Svitolina who led 2-1.

After that it was the Barty party. Three straight games of all court tennis of the highest quality brought the #1 to within sight of victory. 4-2 and serving, Svitolina appearing to have no answers.

The defending champion halted the Aussie charge with some excellent attacking tactics, breaking back and leading into the most absorbing game of the match.

Down 15-40, Svitolina saved the two break points, then had two chances to close out the game, but couldn’t manage to convert those game points. A third break point was all that Barty required and 5-3 was the score.

Serving for the title, Barty was helped by her opponents unforced errors, and her overall consistency was too much for Svitolina in a love game which sealed things.

Ash Barty won the final 6-4 6-3, and with it the Billie Jean King trophy.

The second Australian, after Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1974 and 1976, to lift the WTA Finals trophy

The first Australian to end a year as the WTA #1.