Serena and Kerber First to Qualify for Year-End BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore

August 22, 2016 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff

The WTA has announced that world number one Serena Williams and world number two Angelique Kerber have secured the first two singles qualifications for this year’s BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore, presented by SC Global. The year-end event brings together the top eight singles players and doubles teams to compete for $7 million in prize money at the Singapore Sports Hub from Oct. 23-30.

Serena has amassed a lifetime 29-6 record at the year-end finale, winning five singles titles in seven appearances in the Finals. She has claimed the Billie Jean King Trophy on each of her most recent four outings, including three successive victories from 2012 to 2014. This year will mark her 10th career appearance at the tournament.

Kerber, who just finished as runner-up at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, secured her fourth appearance at the WTA Finals. Her first two appearances at the event were in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2012 and 2013. This year Kerber will be bidding to advance to the semifinals for the first time, after being only one set away from doing so in 2015.

“Congratulations to Serena and Angelique on once again qualifying for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global,” said WTA CEO Steve Simon. “These two athletes are incredible ambassadors for the sport and we look forward to them showcasing their best tennis in Singapore this October. Serena continues to break records and add to her already extraordinary career, while Angie is having the best year of her career so far and has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars of the tour. They are both fan-favorites and their passion and energy on court will be sure to electrify the Sports Hub.”

“I’m very proud and excited to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore,” said Serena. “I have great memories of winning the title in Singapore in 2014 and being supported by so many fans. I can’t wait to be back in Singapore later this year to hopefully win my sixth Billie Jean King Trophy.”

Kerber said, “I’m so happy to have qualified for the WTA Finals Singapore for the fourth time. It is one of the most important events of the year, and we all fight to qualify in the top eight. I have great memories from my other experiences at the tournament and I hope to play some great matches and win the title.”


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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