WTA Road To Singapore: Svetlana Kuznetsova Must Win Moscow Or Johanna Konta Gets Last Spot

by Sean Randall | October 19th, 2016, 11:42 am
  • 5 Comments

With the year-end No. 1 ranking all locked up for Angelique Kerber, the only real drama left in the women’s tour this season is who’ll earn the final berth in next week’s WTA Finals in Singapore?

If you do, it’s down to Svetlana Kuznetsova and Johanna Konta. And the scenario is simple, Kuznetsova must win Moscow otherwise the Brit Konta gets in.

Earlier today, Kuznetsova inched closer to qualifying by defeating Alize Cornet to make the quarterfinals after Saurez-Navarro lost.


Currently, here’s how the “Road” stacks up through today:
1 Angelique Kerber 8000
2 Agnieszka Radwanska 4975
3 Simona Halep 4728
4 Karolina Pliskova 4100
5 Garbine Muguruza 3736
6 Madison Keys 3637
7 Dominika Cibulkova 3625
8 Johanna Konta 3455

9 Carla Suarez Navarro 3170
10 Svetlana Kuznetsova 3120
(Note: No. 2 Serena withdrew)

For Kuznetsova to do it, she’ll have to beat Timea Babos then possibly Elina Svitolina in the semifinals and perhaps Daria Kasatkina in the final.

Looking at the field, it shows you a picture of the WTA post-Serena/Venus/Sharapova looks like. Just three total Grand Slam titles among the eight. Bizarre. The men are in transition, so too are the women.

The WTA Finals begin on Sunday with 8 players from 8 different countries with defending champion Radwanska the only former winner in the field.


You Might Like:
It’s Win And In For Svetlana Kuznetsova In The Moscow Final Saturday
WTA Finals Groups: Radwanska Lone Former Champion, Kerber Slight Favorite In Wide-Open Field
Kuznetsova Wins Moscow, Ends 7-Year Drought with WTA Finals Appearance
Halep Cruises Over Keys, Faces Kvitova In Wuhan SFs; Cibulkova Wins 2, Will Meet Kuznetsova
The 2015 WTA Finals Singapore Field Is Set

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5 Comments for WTA Road To Singapore: Svetlana Kuznetsova Must Win Moscow Or Johanna Konta Gets Last Spot

RZ Says:

I can see Kuznetsova having a hot week and getting that last spot.
Too bad that CSN’s attempt to make it was foiled by an injury (similar to Konta’s attempt at her previous tournament)

October 19th, 2016 at 11:49 am


jalep Says:

It’s going to be tough for her, RZ.
Kuznetsova the best in Wuhan when she beat Aga and made the SF but lost to Cibulkova there. Of course Petra won Wuhan (Happy surprise!) But Sveta lost in round two to Keys in Beijing, then didn’t make her goal of winning Tianjin, losing to Riske in the SF, after nearly losing to Naomi Osaka in the QF. She’s got to be close to overplayed.

Sveta looks tired. I watched her this morning vs Cornet. Sveta won but I don’t know. I’ll be very surprised if she wins Moscow with her draw :(

What do you know about Jo Konta? Will she be fit enough? She’s #8 right now. Hope she can go. And then there’s Garbine with supposedly a twisted ankle.

Good news: Angie, Aga, Simona, Karolina, Cibby, and Keys should have had enough time to be ready; fingers crossed for Jo and Garbine.

http://live-tennis.eu/en/wta-race

October 19th, 2016 at 1:24 pm


jalep Says:

Poor CSN is OUT of Moscow. She has a wrist injury, apparently.

October 19th, 2016 at 5:06 pm


jalep Says:

^^ which has me wondering if she’ll be able to play anything singles or doubles the rest of the season.

October 19th, 2016 at 5:11 pm


RZ Says:

@Jalep – I think I read on the BBC site that Jo’s status is still questionable due to her ab injury. Though I feel like most players comes back from ab injuries pretty quickly. I guess we’ll find out at the end of the week.

October 19th, 2016 at 6:11 pm

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