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In the earlier White Group encounter at the
eight-woman event, Elina Svitolina tore up the form book with a
brilliant display of serving and retrieving to register a 6-3
6-3 victory over Petra Kvitova.
Wozniacki had beaten Pliskova in the semi-finals a year ago and
held a 6-3 lead in head-to-head encounters between the pair but
the former world number one refused to let her Danish opponent
settle in a ruthless display of big hitting.
"I felt pretty good from the baseline today, so it wasn't only
down to my serve," Pliskova said in a post-match interview.
"The game was solid from my side and she looked nervous at the
start... it's always tough to defend the title for everybody, so
I am happy with my performance today."
Pliskova's power proved too much for Wozniacki for most of the
match as the Czech, who also moved well, secured two breaks in a
row to stake an early lead and kept the tenacious Dane at arm's
length to claim the opener in 36 minutes.
The Czech continued her onslaught to break immediately at the
start of the second set, staving off three break points against
her to consolidate the advantage as Wozniacki tried desperately
to get back on level terms.
The Dane used her brilliant backhand to create further openings
on the Pliskova serve but a combination of tightness on key
points from Wozniacki and solid groundstrokes from the Czech
prevented the champion from gaining a foothold.
ERRATIC KVITOVA
Pliskova earned two match points in the ninth game but Wozniacki
survived them both to ensure the Czech would have to serve for
the match, which she managed after saving two break points by
sealing victory with a clubbing ace.
"Matches against Caroline are always tough and the last time we
played here, I had a lot of chances but did not convert them,"
added Pliskova, who saved all 10 break points the Dane forged
against her.
In the early match, 24-year-old Ukrainian Svitolina came into
the White Group opener on the back of seven straight defeats by
left-handed Kvitova, but she capitalized on her opponent's
erratic play to record a stunning triumph.
Svitolina, making her second appearance at the season-ender,
appeared focused and determined to make amends for a lacklustre
display a year ago when she exited in the round robin phase.
Both players appeared nervous at the start of the match as they
struggled to find their timing on a court playing faster than
ever, but Svitolina settled after dropping her opening service
game and never looked back once she took the opener.
The Ukrainian continued to play an error-free brand of no-risk
tennis to claim her fifth game in a row to open the second set
and once she forged her fourth break of the match in the sixth
game, the writing was on the wall for her opponent.
"You need to play at the best level you can imagine because
everyone is very strong. From the beginning you have tough
matches and even if you don't start well, you are still alive
and fighting for a semi-final spot," Svitolina added.
Svitolina, who suffered a minor health scare when she felt dizzy
during her post-match news conference, will take on Pliskova on
Tuesday, while Wozniacki will hope to get her title defense back
on track against Kvitova on the same day.
Action in the Red Group starts on Monday with Naomi Osaka taking
on Sloane Stephens in a battle between the last two U.S. Open
winners. Top seed Angelique Kerber faces Kiki Bertens.
(Reporting by John O'Brien; editing by Martyn Herman)
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