Elina Svitolina has made a winning start to the WTA Finals in Singapore by defeating an error-stricken Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-3, in the first match of the round robin-tournament.
The 24-year-old, who is making her second consecutive appearance at the event, proved too much against a lacklustre Kvitova. During the match Svitolina hit seven winners to 11 unforced errors as she saved four out of five break points. Although the most telling factor of the match was Kvitova’s tally of 29 unforced errors and seven double faults.
“I’m very happy with my performance tonight. It was a very tough opening match because I have lost many times against Petra.” Svitolina said during an interview with BT Sport.
“For me it was very important to stay focused and bring my best game.”
Prior to this year’s season-ending championships, Svitolina hadn’t defeated Kvitova since the 2014 Western and Southern Open. Suffering seven consecutive losses at the hands of the two-time grand slam champion. Despite her poor record, the sixth seed managed to capitalize on the mistakes made by her opponent during what was a roller coaster first set. Kvitova hit a total of 16 unforced errors compared to Svitolina’s four. After exchanging breaks at the start of the match, Svitolina went on to break another two times with the help of some blistering shot-making before sealing the 6-3 lead at the expense of a double fault from the Czech.
Continuing to tame the threat Kvitova posed, Svitolina saved a trio of break points three games into set number two to move ahead 2-1. Frustrating the pre-match favourite. The Ukrainian then extended her lead to a set and 4-2 after back-to-back errors from Kvitova’s forehand side granted Svitolina another break.
Closing in on her first win over a top 10 player since May, Svitolina continued to stand strong behind her serve. A 14-shot exchange between the two players concluded with another costly error from Kvitova. Handing Svitolina her first match point, which she converted with the help of a deep forehand shot which was returned out.
.@ElinaSvitolina opens the 2018 @WTAFinalsSG with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Kvitova!
Earns first win over the Czech since 2014! pic.twitter.com/AMILz9kMua
— wta (@WTA) October 21, 2018
Svitolina’s triumph comes after what has been a difficult Asian swing for her. Since the US Open, she has only managed to win two matches at three tournaments played. Speaking about her latest win, the world No.6 said she didn’t want to suffer the same misfortunes as last year. Where she lost her opening match at the WTA Finals to Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets (6-2, 6-0).
“I was just trying to focus. I didn’t want to start the same way as last year.” She said. “For me it was just important to bring the best and I did. I’m very pleased with the way I finished it (the match).
“I think I was moving really good tonight. I had to because Petra strikes the ball really flat and I had to react really quickly.“
Later in the week, Svitolina will play Wozniacki and Karolina Pliskova. Only two players in each group will progress to the semifinals.
"It's amazing to see all the happy faces and I'm very pleased with my performance." – @ElinaSvitolina after her big win over Kvitova pic.twitter.com/KUBzuoQ20E
— wta (@WTA) October 21, 2018
