Azarenka, Kvitova Reach WTA Championships Semifinals; Wozniacki Eliminated
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka each assured themselves of semifinal berths in the 2011 WTA Championships held at Istanbul.
Kvitova remained perfect in the round-robin red group with a convincing 6-4, 6-2 win over world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
“Indoors is different for me – I can play faster than I can outdoors,” Kvitova said who is a remarkable 16-0 this year indoors. “I think I’m more dangerous indoors, but then so is Caroline.”
The loss sends the 1-2 Wozniacki out of the Championships, but the Dane did clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking for a second straight season.
The second player to emerge from the red group will be either Vera Zvonareva or Agnieszka Radwanska. If Radwanska wins a set of Kvitova tomorrow, she gets in. If Aga loses in straights then Vera goes.
“Petra is playing really well the last few weeks and she has shown some good tennis here as well,” Radwanska said. “For sure it’s going to be very tough, but I’m going to do my best tomorrow. I’m gonna fight like hell.”
In the white group, Azarenka secured her semifinal thanks to a 6-2, 6-2 win over Li Na. “It’s day by day, day by day,” said Azarenka. “There are still a few more matches left. I’m excited to be here and hope to keep going the same way.”
The second place spot and semifinal berth will go to the winner of Friday’s Na v. Sam Stosur match. The Australian has won all five career meetings with Na.
Sinan Erdem Dome (from 17.00hrs)
1. Li Na vs. Samantha Stosur
2. Petra Kvitova vs. Agnieszka Radwanska
3. Marion Bartoli vs. Victoria Azarenka
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