Wozniacki, Svitolina claim wins at WTA Finals

Elina Svitolina is in pole position to qualify for the semifinals at the WTA Finals while Caroline Wozniacki ensured her hopes remain alive.

That was the state of affairs after an absorbing day of play in Singapore on Tuesday, when both White Group round-robin matches extended three sets.

Wozniacki opened the evening’s session against Petra Kvitova, eventually subduing the powerful yet erratic Czech 7-5 3-6 6-2.

Svitolina then faced Pliskova, winning 6-3 2-6 6-3 to improve her win-loss at the tournament to 2-0; she now tops the White Group.

The Ukrainian has all but assured her qualification for the semifinals in Singapore. The only scenario in which she would miss out would be if she fell to Wozniacki in straight sets in her next match, and Pliskova defeated Kvitova.

She could have cemented her spot in the semis had she beaten Pliskova in straight sets.

White Group standings

“It was a really challenging opening match, and this one, as well, so I’m very happy that I could handle those two, and I still have my next match very, very tough and I’m looking forward to it,” Svitolina said.

“I’m not gonna think about (the semifinals) going into the next match, because I don’t want to have this kind of thing in my head.”

Wozniacki and Kvitova battled for two hours and 19 minutes in a high-quality match featuring exciting rallies, all-court play and breathtaking winners.

Most of them came from Kvitova’s racquet – 40 in all, to Wozniacki’s 19 – but the Czech also committed 40 unforced errors. While the match was on her racquet, Wozniacki was ultimately too solid.

The Dane overcame a knee complaint, which required a medical timeout and taping midway through the second set. She later revealed it was a patella issue, but one that she has managed in the past with taping.

“I know Petra’s patterns, but it doesn’t always help. She plays so fast that sometimes you just don’t have time,” Wozniacki said.

“I just tried to make her feel uncomfortable and make her feel like she couldn’t be in position all the time, and it worked well for me.”

“I played much better today (than in my first match) and I think I returned well, served well and moved well. I just had the belief and fought until the end.”

Kvitova: "Of course this hurts to have those two losses, but I can't be too hard on myself to just be here after everything. So I just need to think positively, which is pretty hard right now, but, yeah, I should.” #WTAFinalsSG

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) October 23, 2018

On Wednesday night in Singapore, Angelique Kerber will do battle with Naomi Osaka before Sloane Stephens takes on Kiki Bertens.