Kuznetsova one win away from denying Konta WTA Finals spot
Svetlana Kuznetsova is one win away from denying Britain’s Johanna Konta a place in the WTA Finals after reaching the final of the Kremlin Cup.
Konta, 25, occupies the eighth and final slot for the tournament which starts on Sunday in Singapore.
Kuznetsova must defend her Kremlin Cup title to overtake the British number one, who is recovering from an injury.
The 31-year-old Russian beat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 to reach the final.
The top seed will play either Germany’s Julia Goerges or Daria Gavrilova of Australia.
Konta moved up to eighth in the rankings following the withdrawal of world number two Serena Williams.
BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller said she has arrived in Singapore, and appears fit to play.
Konta was present for the WTA Finals draw in Singapore on Friday.
If she qualifies, she will face Agnieszka Radwanska, Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza in the group stage.
Angelique Kerber, Simona Halep, Madison Keys and Dominika Cibulkova line up in the other group.
Kuznetsova is the only player who can deny Konta a place at the Finals, because ninth-ranked Carla Suarez Navarro retired with a wrist injury after round two of the Kremlin Cup.
| Road to Singapore (470 points awarded for Moscow title) |
|---|
| 1. Angelique Kerber (Germany) – Qualified |
| 2. Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) – Qualified |
| 3. Simona Halep (Romania) – Qualified |
| 4. Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) – Qualified |
| 5. Garbine Muguruza (Spain) – Qualified |
| 6. Madison Keys (USA) – Qualified |
| 7. Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) – Qualified |
| 8. Johanna Konta (Great Britain) – 3,455 points |
| 9. Carla Suarez Navarro (Spain) – 3,170 points |
| 10. Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) – 3,080 points |