Pliskova ready for Singapore challenge

Published by Daniel Irvine

World No.3 Karolina Pliskova is determined to finish a milestone season on a high at the WTA Finals.

The 25-year-old spent eight weeks at No.1 during July-September, becoming the first Czech woman to hold the top singles ranking. She won three titles and made career-best runs at the Australian Open and French Open.

“So happy to be back again,” Pliskova told the WTA as she rode the Singapore Flyer this week.

“It’s the second year in a row I have qualified for Singapore. It’s always my goal at the beginning of the year to get here.”

It has been a controversial week for Pliskova, who has been involved in an ugly spat with Fed Cup team-mate and former doubles partner Barbora Strycova after poaching her coach Tomas Krupa for next season.

READ MORE: Strycova labels Pliskova no longer a friend

Pliskova, who is working with former world No.1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs in Singapore this week, is instead focusing on capping a memorable season with her first WTA Finals title.

Her round-robin group features world No.2 Garbine Muguruza, world No.5 Venus Williams and French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko. Yet Pliskova is still confident of a strong performance.

“I think it’s better for me this group than the other group,” she admitted. “I think we all play similar styles.”

Pliskova begins her campaign on Sunday against Williams.

READ MORE: Tough draw set in Singapore

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