WTA Finals in Singapore has put the first day behind. Today's session had both Karolina Pliskova (3 WTA) and Garbine Muguruza (2 WTA) delivering some outstanding tennis. On the losing side of the session, Jelena Ostapenko (7 WTA) and Venus Williams (5 WTA) seemed a bit under the weather as none of them was unable to clinch at least a single set. Today's outcome is setting the upcoming round too. Those who have won today will collide in the second session while the losing parts are set for a crucial meeting next. By winning today, Pliskova and Pliskova made it clear that the world No.
1 position in on the radar this week.
Karolina Pliskova swept Venus Williams away
The world No. 3 Pliskova took on Venus Williams, two-time Grand Slam runner-up in 2017 in what was expected to be a collision of some big servers. At 37-year-old, Venus returns to the WTA Finals and made her first appearance since the event has been moved to Singapore. But today there was no glory for her as her younger opponent had all the answers. In the end, it was a 6-2 6-2 compelling win for the 25-year-old from the Czech Republic. A weaker second serve cost Williams a lot. Moreover, 6 double faults didn't help her either. In the meantime, Pliskova had a constant run and in the end, it paid off. The former world No.
1 and 2016 US Open runner-up will take on Garbine Muguruza next. Whoever wins this next match will secure a spot in the next phase. On the other side, Venus must win her next rubber against Jelena Ostapenko to keep her chances alive.
Garbine Muguruza took some revenge for Beijing loss
Several weeks ago, 2017 Wimbledon champion took on 2017 Roland Garros winner in a blockbuster at China Open in Beijing.
That showdown had Jelena Ostapenko with the winning card but, in today's session, Muguruza was determined to balance the sheet. She stormed past Ostapenko in straight sets 6-3 6-4.
Muguruza had the upper hand on each set and despite some late efforts from her opponent, she didn't let the win out of her hands. Muguruza was named the WTA player of the year while Ostapenko the most improved one, thus their latest meeting had a special taste too.
For the Spaniard, Karolina Pliskova looms next as the 25-year-old Czech holds an interesting head to head stats. She leads Muguruza by 6-2 overall. Moreover, seven matches were held on hard with Muguruza winning their only encounter on clay.
The second duel on the White Group will feature Venus Williams and Jelena Ostapenko. The American won their sole previous meeting earlier this year at Wimbledon.
