Streaking Wozniacki Cliches WTA Finals Semifinal Berth; Updates
The two Carolines, Garcia and Wozniacki, won matches on Wednesday at the WTA Finals in Singapore, where Wozniacki clinched a spot in the semifinals, and Garcia kept her semifinal hopes alive.
ADHEREL
The former No. 1 Wozniacki walloped current world No. 1 Simona Halep in Red Group action 6-0, 6-2. She has dropped only four games in two round robin matches thus far.
“I don’t think it’s ever easy when you play a world No. 1,” said Wozniacki, a WTA Finals runner-up seven years ago. “I thought I played really well out there. I felt comfortable and played aggressive when I needed to and ran the balls down when I needed to.”
It was the Dane’s third win over a No. 1 this year after beating Garbine Muguruza in Tokyo and Karolina Pliskova in Toronto.
Halep committed 17 unforced errors over the 14 games, and failed to convert on the lone break point she had.
“I think it was one of my bad days,” Halep said afterwards. “I made too many mistakes and she didn’t miss. I did some good shots, good points, and I missed too many to win a match. After the first set, in the second set I felt that I can come back a little bit at 4-2 — it was a good game, but it was too late.”
Garcia ground out a win over Elina Svitolina 6-7(7), 6-3, 7-5, also in Red Group play.
“The last match I had against Svitolina was already very long, and this one was the same,” Garcia said on court afterwards. “It was a battle on every single point, and I’m just happy to be through.”
In the third set Svitolina was twice up a break, including serving for the match at 5-3 when she saw Garcia run off four games in a row for the victory.
“It was so quick,” Svitolina said of the final four games. “I missed my chances. I cannot change them…My game was completely off.”
Wozniacki has clinched a semifinals berth, but with one group match day remaining, the other semifinal spot is wide open between Garcia, Svitolina and Halep in the Red Group. On Friday Halep and Svitolina will square off, and Garcia must beat Wozniacki to stay alive.
Thursday at the WTA Finals will see action in the White Group with Karolina Pliskova facing Jelena Ostapenko, and Garbine Muguruza taking on Venus Williams.
You Might Like:
Streaking Svitolina Weathers Wozniacki For 2nd 2017 Title at Dubai
Robin Soderling Announces He Will Miss Australian Open
Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori Could Qualify For Semifinals Tuesday In London
Azarenka, Kvitova Reach WTA Championships Semifinals; Wozniacki Eliminated
Stephens And Kerber Win Thrillers At Singapore Finals; Svitolina-Wozniacki Thurs.