Wozniacki struggles in WTA title defence; Svitolina wins
singapore — Karolina Pliskova issued a warning to her opponents at the WTA Finals with a convincing straight-sets victory against defending champion Caroline Wozniacki.
The dynamic 26-year-old’s easy 6-2, 6-4 triumph in Singapore was sweet revenge for Pliskova, who lost to Wozniacki in the semis at last year’s WTA Finals.
Pliskova had strapping on her lower right leg but moved well against the sluggish second seed. The hard-hitting Czech was not broken on serve for the entire match and fittingly closed it out with an ace. “I felt good from the baseline and it was not all about my serve,” Pliskova said. “She started a bit nervous in the beginning, it’s always tough to defend a title.”
Pliskova played down injury concerns. “I don’t know what is wrong with me, but, you know, it’s the end of the season,” she said. “I have now two days, so I’m sure it’s going to be fine.”
The world number eight stunned Wozniacki with a brilliant first set highlighted by trademark booming ground strokes. She saved two break points in her opening service game before overwhelming the Australian Open champion en route to winning five straight games.
Earlier, a determined Svitolina ended her long-time jinx against former Wimbledon champ Kvitova, cruising to a straight sets win. The world number six triumphed 6-3, 6-3 in just 89 minutes in the tournament opener, easily overcoming a lacklustre Kvitova, who had 29 unforced errors. —