Pliskova and Svitolina Round Out 2018 WTA Finals Field

October 17, 2018 | By New York Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: USTA/Pete Staples

The singles field for the 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals in Singapore was rounded out Wednesday, as Karolina Pliskova and Elina Svitolina officially qualified based on their results at the VTB Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Pliskova and Svitolina join Simona Halep, Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki and Sloane Stephens in Singapore to compete for $7 million in prize money.

Pliskova earned her spot at the WTA Finals after lifting two titles this season, at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart) and the Toray Pan Pacific Open (Tokyo). She reached her third final of 2018 at the Tianjin Open, and advanced to semifinals at the Brisbane International and the Mutua Madrid Open. Back-to-back quarterfinal appearances at the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and the Miami Open presented by Itaú, as well as reaching the last eight at the Australian Open and US Open, also strengthened her grip on a qualification berth.

“I’m delighted to be appearing at the WTA Finals for the third time,” said Pliskova. “I have such great memories from playing in Singapore in 2016 and 2017, and I can’t wait to close out the year competing against the other elite players of 2018.”

Svitolina has posted a perfect 3-0 record in finals this season, lifting the trophies at the Brisbane International, presented by Suncorp, and defending her titles at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome).

“I’m excited to qualify for the WTA Finals for my second time,” said Svitolina. “Making it to Singapore is my goal every year so I’m happy to return and be part of the top eight players of the season.”


New York Tennis Magazine Staff
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