Kik Bertens and Karolina Pliskova control their own destiny in Moscow next week as Sloane Stephens qualifies for the WTA Finals in Singapore.
The American qualified after Elina Svitolina, currently in 7th position in the race to Singapore rankings, failed to take a wildcard into one of next week’s tournaments.
This means that Stephens joins Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Wozniacki in Singapore next week.
The world number eight has had a great season which includes a title in Miami as well as finals at Roland Garros and Montreal, where she lost to Simona Halep on both occasions.
This means there are now two spots left for the WTA Finals, with Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova and Kiki Bertens all having aspirations of making WTA’s big season finale.
However only Bertens and Pliskova control their own destiny next week as they both play the Kremlin Cup in Moscow while Svitolina does not compete next week.
So here are the scenarios for all three players heading into the Kremlin Cup:
Elina Svitolina
- The Ukrainian qualifies for the WTA Finals if either Kiki Bertens or Karolina Pliskova make the semi-finals of Moscow next week.
- If both Bertens and Pliskova reach the semi-finals of Moscow then Svitolina is out of contention and won’t qualify for Singapore.
Karolina Pliskova
- The Czech Republican qualifies for Singapore if she reaches the semi-finals in Moscow next week. To achieve this she would have to beat a qualifier in her first match, before potentially facing Anastasija Sevastova in the quarter-finals.
- However Pliskova can also qualify if Kiki Bertens fails to reach the last four in Moscow.
Kiki Bertens
- The Cincinnati champion must reach the semi-finals in Moscow to qualify for Singapore otherwise she is out of contention.
- The Dutchwoman will face Aliaksandra Sasnovich or Mihaela Buzarnescu in her first match before potentially facing Elise Mertens, who plays Johanna Konta in her first match, in the quarter-finals.
The pressure is on with Pliskova and Bertens controlling their own fate heading into the final week of the regular season.
Here is the full draw from the Kremlin Cup which also sees Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and Daria Kasatkina play the tournament.
https://twitter.com/Ubitennis/status/1051432595152662528
