The Romanian Simona Halep will end the season as world number 1 after the defeat of the Czech Karolina Pliskova (N.3) against the Danish Caroline Wozniacki (N.6), who will play the final of the Masters against the American Venus Williams (N .5), winner against French Caroline Garcia (N.8), in Singapore.
Pliskova, who fell 7-6 (11/9) and 6-3, was the last player with a chance to dethrone Halep, but she needed to win the trophy.
Now it will be Wozniacki who will fight for her first teaching title, on Sunday against Venus Williams, who returned at the age of 37 to the final of the Masters, eight years after her last appearance. He won the trophy in 2008 and was a finalist in 2009.
Halep, 26, was eliminated on Friday on the last day of the group stage after a loss to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina (N.4), 6-3, 6-4.
A single victory in the Masters, against Garcia, has served to end the season at the top of the WTA for the first time.
The Romanian player, who reached first place on October 9 to the detriment of the Spanish Garbiñe Muguruza, has never won a Grand Slam tournament. This season he won in Madrid and was a finalist in Rome, Roland Garros, Cincinnati and Beijing.
Muguruza, now world number 2, who had a chance to regain the throne, was also eliminated in the group stage, wrecking her possible comeback.
This Saturday, in the first semi-final, Wozniacki had an excellent match against Pliskova, winning in one hour and 22 minutes.
The outcome of the first set had a lot to do with the final result. Pliskova had six set balls, three at 5-4 and another three in a non-cardiac tie-break.
– Garcia, slowed down by fatigue –
But it was Wozniacki who had the last word, on her sixth set point, having wasted five as she led 6-1 in the deciding game.
In the second heat, Pliskova seemed on the edge of the precipice with an adverse 3-1, but equalized 3-3. Wozniacki, very strong mentally in Singapore, won the next three games and sealed his pass to the final.
«It was very important to win the first set. I think that broke her a bit, it was important for both of us to get the first one, “said the Danish woman.
Later Venus beat Garcia 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3. The Frenchwoman, in her first appearance at the Masters, has completed an outstanding performance, with two consecutive victories in three-set matches in the group stage that served her to qualify for the semifinals.
Precisely the effort made took its toll this Saturday. The 24-year-old Frenchwoman was able to win a grueling first set that went within an hour and 7 minutes of play.
Venus was superior in the second round, with a more efficient service, and in the third she managed to break to 5-3, a situation that was definitive.
“Every time I thought she was around, she played amazing. It’s hard to play your best tennis at the end of the year, when you’re tired. Nothing is easy, it is exciting to be still in the circle of the winners, “said Venus. afp