The draw has taken place for the prestigious WTA Finals with world No.1 Angelique Kerber set to play Romanian rival Simona Halep for the fifth time this year.
Headlining the $7 million event in Singapore, Kerber will be bidding to progress beyond the round robin stage for the first time in her career. The draw features the eight best players in the world based on rankings and is split into two groups with the two highest scorers in each group qualifying for the semifinals. Joining Kerber and Halep in the red group is sixth seed Madison Keys and seventh seed Dominika Cibulkova.
“It has been an amazing year for me.” Said Kerber during the draw ceremony. “I mean everything that has happened is just crazy still. I really try to enjoy every moment, it’s really something that I have been dreaming of. It’s really nice to be back in Singapore and I am looking forward to playing (here).”
In the white group, defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska faces a stern test against Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza. The second seed it yet to play Muguruza this season, but did defeat Pliskova in straight sets earlier this year in Stuttgart. Speaking about her triumph last year where she became the first player from her country to win the WTA Finals title, Radwanska still remembers the occasion as if it was yesterday.
“It feels like it was a week ago.” Said Radwanska. “Of course I have great memories (of) one of the biggest days in my career. I’m just very very happy to be playing here.”
The fourth place in the white group is still to be decided. Johanna Konta currently lies in final qualifying position, however, she could be knocked out of the sport if Svetlana Kuznetsova wins the Kremlin Cup in Moscow this week.
#WTAFinals Groups
Red- @AngeliqueKerber, @Cibulkova, @Simona_Halep, @Madison_Keys
White- @GarbiMuguruza, @KaPliskova, @ARadwanska, Seed 8 pic.twitter.com/BINSO4QqxR— WTA (@WTA) 21 October 2016
2015 Singapore semi-finalist Muguruza is aiming to end her memorable year on a high at the event. Clinching her maiden grand slam title at the French Open in June, the world No.6 described her 2016 season on the tour as ‘crazy’.
“I think this year has been a bit crazy for me.” The French Open champion said. “So far it has been great, (I won) my first grand slam title so nothing ruin it. It’s exciting to be back here in Singapore.”
The eight-day Singapore tournament will start this Sunday with the order of play yet to be confirmed. Regardless of the outcome of the event, Kerber is guaranteed to end the year at the top of the rankings following Serena Williams’ withdrawal due to injury.
