Karolina Pliskova (click to enlarge)
Before I give a few quick thoughts about the two opening White Group matches on day two of the 2016 WTA Finals, I have to comment on the Johanna Konta situation. When I did my WTA Finals preview post, Konta was in. But a last minute tournament win by Svetlana Kuznetsova knocked Jo out of the Singapore draw. All that is fair and square. No issues. The problem I have is that the WTA should have a week in between the final qualifying tournament and the Tour Finals. That way you don’t have a player, in this case Johanna Konta, go through all the media pomp and circumstance…and then have to get airbrushed out of the official photo. This was a bad look that the WTA should not let happen again.
…now…
Sveta showed tremendous heart, and endurance, having flown in from her tournament win in Moscow to take down defending Singapore champion Agnieszka Radwanska in three sets, 7-5 1-6 7-5. I’m not sure if I’m more impressed by Kuznetsova’s resilience or her quick thinking, giving herself a haircut on-court after her ponytail kept getting in her way. Aga won this event with 2 round robin losses last year. It’s probably not a good idea to try that route again. She will need to beat both Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova. Those two also played a three set seesaw battle. Ultimately, Garbi couldn’t hold on to a 5-2 third set lead as Pliskova won the struggle, 6-2 6-7 (4) 7-5. From a personal fan’s perspective, I’d like to see Karolina and Mugu make the semis from the White Group. They both need wins on Wednesday for that possibility to stay alive.
8 SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA d. 2 Agnieszka Radwanska, 7-5 1-6 7-5
4 KAROLINA PLISKOVA d. 5 Garbine Muguruza, 6-2 6-7 (4) 7-5
Fairways and Forehands 