Singapore: Angelique Kerber eased into the last four of the WTA Finals with an unbeaten record when the World No.1 thrashed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-3 in the Red Group final at the Singapore Indoor Stadium here Thursday.
The 28-year-old German won all three of her round robin matches and her straight sets triumph over Keys ensured Dominika Cibulkova would join her in the semifinals after the Slovak had earlier ground out a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) victory over Simona Halep.
Kerber has enjoyed a breakout season with Grand Slam victories at the Australian and US Opens, and her baseline hustling and resilient defence proved far too strong for an erratic Keys, who was broken six times in nine service games.
“It’s always tough to play against Madison so I was focused on playing my best and going for it when I had the chance,” Kerber said. “I moved and returned well and it feels incredible to be in the semifinals for a first time.”
The first set featured five consecutive service breaks before the German took control by neutralising Keys’s powerful forehand. Kerber staved off another breakpoint in eighth game to edge 5-3 ahead and the German claimed the first set when Keys was unable to hold serve for a fourth straight time.
Keys broke early to lead 2-0, but then her error-prone gave way to the resilient Kerber defence. Her revival was shortlived, however, as the tenacious Kerber stepped up another level to reel off five straight games and set up an ultimately routine victory.
Cibulkova needed a straight sets victory and came out all guns blazing. She harried Halep on every point and within 10 minutes was up 3-0.
Looking far more composed than her opponent, harrying Halep on every point and breaking to love at the first opportunity as she raced to a 3-0 lead in less than 10 minutes. Both players then held their serves and the Slovak closed out the set 6-3.
The World No. 8 started the second set as she had the first but Halep stood firm and recovered from an early break to prevent her opponent from running away with the match. But Halep failed to impress in the tie-break to bow out.
Reuters
