Dominika Cibulkova produced an almost flawless display to stun world No.1 Angelique Kerber 6-3, 6-4, in just 78 minutes and clinch the WTA Finals title in Singapore.
The significance of playing in the final of the tournament on her debut was something that didn’t phrase a fired-up Cibulkova. The Slovakian seventh seed displayed her best tennis from the onset with a series of aggressive shots during rallies followed by some spectacular winners. Kerber’s level was also at a good standard, but the world No.1 was unable to control an inspired Cibulkova. After losing her break advantage from the start of the match, the underdog kept applying the pressure, forcing Kerber to slam a double-handed backhand into the net, and break once again for 4-2. Continuing her momentum, the Slovakian sealed the opening set with a cross-court forehand shot, her 14th winner of the match. It wasn’t just Cibulkova’s shot-making skills that secured the lead as she recorded a first service rate of 85%.
The first set to @Cibulkova. She takes it 6-3. #WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/DnPKhbdEXU
— WTA (@WTA) 30 October 2016
Cibulkova’s relentless displayed showed no signs of letting up beyond the opening set. Hitting volleys at the net that some of the world’s greatest tennis players would be proud of, she still had her work cut out against a player with some of the best defensive skills on the tour. Six games went by with neither player managing to break through until Cibulkova launched her next attack. Another speedy forehand winner enabled her to race to 40-0 lead against her opponent serve before she broke for 4-3. It was a displayed that exceeded her current ranking position of ninth in the world, but closing the match out was an emotional roller coaster.
Racing to her first two match points, Cibulkova finally displayed her first signs of weakness after back-to-back unforced errors. Top seed Kerber then had a chance to break back for 5-5 in the second set, but failed to convert after the Slovakian came out on top during what was one of the best rallies of this year’s tournament.
Jaw dropping stuff! @Cibulkova saves break point. #WTAFinals pic.twitter.com/OPnFEZDmmo
— WTA (@WTA) 30 October 2016
It was only a matter of time before the dream of the underdog became a reality. Serving on her fourth match point, the 27-year-old secured the biggest title of her career when a foprehand shot brushed the top of the next and bounced on Kerber’s side of the court.
“There are no words.” A delighted Cibulkova said. “Coming here for the first time and winning the biggest tournament of my life right now. I just remembered the match point, I put the ball on the top of the net, it went in and it was the happiest moment of my life.”
Hitting 28 winners and getting 83% of her first serves in, the new champion is set to rise to a new ranking high of fifth. Moments after her dominating victory at the Singapore Sports Hub, Cibulkova took time to praise world No.1 Kerber.
“You were an inspiration for me to play so well (this season). With hard work anything is possible.” She said to the German.
Despite missing out on the title, Kerber still ends her year as the best player in the world. Exiting Singapore, where she has reached the final for the first time in her career, the 28-year-old has no regrets about her performance.
“I won two grand slams and it was one of the best years of my career. Today I gave everything I had (in the match).” Said kerber.
Cibulkova’s win over Kerber has ended her five-match losing streak to the two-time grand slam champion. She has now won four titles this year (Katowice, Eastbourne, Linz and Singapore), which is the same amount of titles that she won between 2011-2015 on the WTA Tour.
