Groups drawn, scene is set for last WTA Finals in Singapore

Barely a day after learning that they had qualified for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, Karolina Pliskova and Kiki Bertens flew all the way from Moscow into Singapore on Friday (19 October), in time to witness the singles draw at the gala dinner at Marina Bay Sands.

Both players were knocked out in the last-16 of the Kremlin Cup on Thursday (Singapore time), but Pliskova had accumulated enough points over Bertens to snare what had been the eighth and final spot of the season-ending tournament.

But hours later, when world No. 1 Simona Halep withdrew with a lower back injury, Bertens was the beneficiary as she replaced the stricken Romanian.

“It definitely has been a strange couple of days,” the Dutch world No. 10 said. “I was very disappointed after losing in Moscow and not being able to overtake Karolina.

“Then as my team and I were leaving for the airport, we got the news that Simona pulled out. It was really unfortunate for her, but I’m excited to be back here as a singles player after playing in the doubles competition last year.”

Bertens was drawn together in the Red Group with Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber, US Open winner Naomi Osaka and French Open finalist Sloane Stephens.

Pliskova will face defending champion Caroline Wozniacki, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova and Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the White Group.

Said the Czech world No. 8, “Obviously I’m a little tired after the long flight, but I need to be ready from the opening match for a tough fight. These are the best players this season, so there are no easy matches in this tournament.”

The WTA Finals will begin on Sunday at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, and will be accompanied by a host of fun-filled activities both at the Singapore Sports Hub as well as at Marina Bay Sands.

Related stories:

World No. 1 Simona Halep withdraws from WTA Finals, replaced by Kiki Bertens

WTA Finals singles field set as Svitolina, Pliskova qualify

US Open champ Naomi Osaka qualifies for WTA Finals Singapore