WTA Zhuhai: Kiki Bertens begins "consolation round" successfully
Dutch-based Kiki Bertens has successfully entered the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai. Bertens defeated Donna Vekic in straight sets.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Oct 22, 2019, 02:14 pm
Franz Beckenbauer once called the UEFA Cup a Cup of losers compared to the big Champions League. In the meantime, fourth-placed league football may play their part in the alleged master class, which incidentally would have been unthinkable during the active times of Franz Beckenbauer.
The WTA Trophy in Zhuhai would come close after the old UEFA Cup: Who has not made it to the season finale of the best eight players of the year on the WTA Tour, which may open in Zhuhai. For a few world ranking points. And for a few more US dollars. At the start are twelve women who have done great things in the approaching season, but missed the last step.
Bertens missed final chances
For no one is this more apt than for Kiki Bertens. The Dutchwoman, who was still in the top eight of the year last year, could have won the decisive points in Linz, but above all in Moscow, for a renewed participation in the big season finale. Cori Gauff and Kristina Mladenovic had other ideas, a match victory over the Dutch national interests.
And so Bertens struggles to position himself at the Elite Trophy in one of the four triplets. The opening match against Donna Vekic was a good one with the 7: 6 (5) and 6: 2, the second opponent is still Dayana Yastremska. Last year Ashleigh Barty won the title in Zhuhai, following the WTA final. The Australian may play for the last big individual title of the year this year, one week after Zhuhai in Shenzhen.
Sabalenka successful
Aryna Sabalenka also had a successful start: Belarus had a small chance to qualify for Shenzhen after a rather weak summer in singles (in the doubles on the side of Elise Mertens triumphing at the US Open) , But that's how it has become Zhuhai. And there Sabalenka defeated Maria Sakkari with 6: 3 and 6: 4.
Incidentally, Franz Beckenbauer won the Losers' Cup in 1996. As a coach of FC Bayern Munich. Maybe Kiki Bertens will do it for him as an active one.