Defending WTA Finals champion, Caroline Wozniacki edged past Petra Kvitova 7-5 3-6 6-2 to keep her semi-final hopes alive in Singapore.
Last year’s champion sealed victory in 2 hours and 19 minutes as she won her first match of this year’s WTA Finals. The win means her hopes of reaching the semi-finals are alive.
The big-serving Czech Republican ran out of energy at the end of the match as she has now lost both of her matches. If Karolina Pliskova defeats Elina Svitolina in the other match in the group, then Kvitova will be eliminated before she plays her last match against her compatriot.
The first set saw an even match as Kvitova struggled to hit through Wozniacki’s defensive skills. However the world number five’s second serve saved break points in the opening set.
The Dane eventually grabbed the crucial break as she closed down the net and was able to put Kvitova on the back-foot with some great play. Even though the Czech Republican broke back with some vicious play, the former world number one was zoned in.
Another good return game from Wozniacki allowed her to break and seal the first set in a tight 54 minutes of play. The first set was crucial for the Dane as she was able to save her energy for the latter parts of the contest.
A much better second set though from Kvitova as she started to step up on the return and dictate play more often as a result.
Despite a mini-comeback from the world number three, Kvitova continued to punish her opponents serving as she broke for a fourth time in the set to force a decider. The 4th seed had become the queen of three-setters this season, could she continue that trend.
The answer would be no, as Wozniacki continued to use the slow court to her advantage as she made the Czech Republican run.
Eventually Kvitova grew more and more tired as the Dane looked like she could play for another three hours. A comfortable hold secured the win as she secured a confidence-boosting victory.
The second seed had more energy from the start and used her all-court game to her advantage as she outlasted a tired Kvitova.
So, Wozniacki will now play Elina Svitolina on Thursday which could determine if she qualifies for the semi-finals. Whilst Kvitova will take on compatriot, Karolina Pliskova on Thursday if Pliskova defeats Svitolina in the other Tuesday match, then Kvitova will be out of the WTA Finals heading into that contest.
