Underdogs dominate the WTA
The first week saw two players clinched their maiden title on the WTA Tour. Katerina Siniakova underlined her potential by stunning two top 10 players. On her way to the final the Czech outlasted Simona Halep and Johanna Konta in two three-set matches. Awaiting her in the final was American eighth seed Alison Riske, a player who hasn’t won a tour title since 2014. Seizing her moment, Siniakova broke her opponent four times on route to clinching the title.
At the ASB Classic in Auckland, Lauren Davis improved on her two tournament runner-up places from last year by lifting the title. The New Zealand campaign saw the American upset fifth seed Kiki Bertens and fourth seed Barbora Strycova before benefiting from the retirement of Jelena Ostapenko in the semifinals. Standing in the way of the title was Croatia’s Ana Konjuh. Despite being ranked 14 places lower than her final opponent, the 23-year-old raced to a 6-3, 6-1, win.
“It’s definitely an incredible feeling winning my first WTA title,” Davis said. “It’s definitely surreal.
“I’ve been waiting for this one for quite a few years. I had two finals last year and it was definitely discouraging and frustrating but third time’s a charm.”
