Tennis News

ZHUHAI, China – With the year’s final Premier-Mandatory event at the China Open done and dusted, there were a few key changes to the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai leaderboard.

By virtue of reaching the final in Beijing, Johanna Konta has moved out of the Zhuhai race and Dominika Cibulkova, a finalist at the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open, has stepped in.

Carla Suárez Navarro and Svetlana Kuznetsova have kept their spots near the top of the field, along with Wuhan winner Petra Kvitova and defending Zhuhai champion Venus Williams.

But while the top of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai leaderboard looks solid, the bottom spots could still be up for grabs after a busy three-tournament week.

Barbora Strycova, No.19 on the leaderboard, is 110 points clear of former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, who has experienced a late-season renaissance. The Dane has carried her form into the Asian swing, and a run to the semifinals or better at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open could put her firmly in contention for Zhuhai.

The year’s final tournament will take place in Zhuhai, China and will run from November 1 to 6. Like last year, the singles draw will feature 11 of the top ranked players and one wildcard, with the winner collecting 700 ranking points.

The Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy announced last week that Asian No.1 Zhang Shuai received the wildcard to round out the 12-player field in Zhuhai.

Here’s the latest leaderboard update for the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai as of October 10, 2016:

Long-time doubles partners Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka took to the court together once more at the Tianjin Open – as singles opponents – with the latter emerging victorious, 7-5, 6-4.

The Czech pair have long teamed up as doubles partners with great success, winning the 2011 French Open and 2013 US Open titles together. They will play together once more in a fortnight’s time at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

However, their personal friendship was put to one side in Tianjin and Hradecka has admitted that it felt bizarre to meet Hlavackova for the fourth time in her career.

“You know, it was a tough match playing against Andrea,” she said after the match.

“It’s always tough because we play with each other in doubles and we’re going for the Masters. It’s really tough, you have to concentrate. It’s a strange situation, certainly.

“I’m so happy that I’m through and I’m looking forward to the next match.”

Looking forward, Hradecka says she and Hlavackova are excited to play in the Singapore, which gets underway on October 23.

“We’re looking forward to being in Singapore again, it’s great that we did it this year as well. You know, I think we’re both so excited to be there with the best doubles players in the world.”

BEIJING, China – Agnieszka Radwanska reclaimed the China Open with a straight-set win over Johanna Konta on Sunday.

A dominant week, in which she did not drop a set was rounded off in style as Radwanska closed out a 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 36 minutes.

Radwanska advanced to the final without dropping a set and early on she looked primed for another routine outing. However, from 5-2 down Konta finally began to display the sort of tennis that upset Madison Keys in the previous round.

She reduced her arrears to 5-4 and even had an opportunity to draw level. This proved to be the turning point, as Konta missed a routine drive volley and a few points later saw the set finally slip away.

The No.3 seed rammed home her advantage at the start of the second, planting a backhand onto the baseline to break in the third game. Konta battled away to the last but was unable to find a way through Radwanska’s defenses. The Pole would finish with just eight unforced errors, wrapping up victory with an ace out wide.

Asia has been a happy hunting ground for Radwanska, winning nine of her 20 career titles there. However, her success in Beijing, where she also triumphed in 2011, is of particular significance: “It’s a very special moment; third final and second title here. It was a really special week for me and it couldn’t be any better.”

“Every title means a lot, but especially here when you play against the best players in the world, in one of the biggest tournaments. It’s top players from the first round and I’ve been playing my best tennis all week so of course I’m very happy to win this tournament again, and this trophy is going to stay in a very special place.”

Radwanska becomes one of four active players to collect three or more Premier Mandatory titles, joining Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka. Konta, meanwhile, was appearing in her very first final at this level and the disappointment will be tempered by the knowledge that on Monday she will become only the fourth British player to reach the Top 10.

“It’s pretty cool! I’m very pleased with my progress over the past few years and hopefully many more places to climb,” Konta said. “I’m just working hard towards playing matches like these, against players like Agnieszka.”

An even grander stage could await. Konta’s run to the final sees her edge ahead of Dominika Cibulkova and into the final qualifying berth for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.