The eight top-ranked feminine tennis gamers on the earth have gathered in Shenzhen, China, for the season-ending WTA Finals which kick off on Sunday.
All through all the season gamers have been combating for titles and treasured factors to qualify for the season finale, which has moved from Singapore final 12 months to Shenzhen – and has seen its prize cash double from $ 7 million to $ 14 million, with the champion selecting up a whopping $ four.7 million.
READ MORE: ‘I like Russia, I like the tournaments & the breakfasts!’ Meet Kremlin Cup 2019 winner Belinda Bencic (PHOTOS, VIDEO)
RT Sport takes a take a look at the contenders who might be in motion in Shenzhen from October 27 until November three.
Crimson Group: Ashleigh Barty, Naomi Osaka, Petra Kvitova and Belinda Bencic
Ashleigh Barty (Australia)
World primary and Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty has had a sensational season that has seen her rise to the summit of the ladies’s rankings.
In June she claimed her maiden Grand Slam singles title, defeating Markéta Vondrousová within the French Open closing, 6–1, 6–three.
She additionally added the Miami Open and Birmingham Nature Valley Basic titles to her identify, topping the WTA rankings as she edged out Naomi Osaka, turning into the primary Australian lady to be primary since 1976.
Naomi Osaka (Japan)
The 2-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan noticed her outcomes nosedive after victory on the 2019 Australian Open the place she defeated Petra Kvitova.
A recurring knee damage and cut up with longtime coach Sascha Bajin appeared to have an effect on her outcomes this 12 months, as she didn’t ship a robust efficiency at three different Grand Slam tournaments.
???@WTAFinals @ashbarty @KaPliskova @Naomi_Osaka_ @Bandreescu_ @Simona_Halep @Petra_Kvitova @BelindaBencic @ElinaSvitolina pic.twitter.com/Deiimnir0S
— WTA (@WTA) October 25, 2019
Nevertheless, the Japanese appears to have turn out to be aggressive once more on the autumn tournaments, taking consecutive titles in Tokyo and Beijing.
Unbeaten for 10 matches in row, Osaka has regained kind on the proper time to ascertain herself as one of many most important contenders to clinch the WTA title.
Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic)
The Czech tennis ace might be one of the skilled gamers in Shenzhen, participating in her in her seventh WTA Finals.
She had an excellent begin to the 12 months, profitable the title in Sydney and reaching the ultimate of the Australian Open, however a left forearm damage ended her sensational run, forcing the participant miss a serious a part of the season.
Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
Belinda Bencic was the final participant to ebook a spot within the WTA Finals after her victory on the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Having certified for the season finale, she denied US tennis icon Serena Williams a berth leaving her in ninth place.
The previous world primary junior superior to her first ever Grand Slam semifinal this 12 months, reaching the final 4 on the US Open the place she misplaced to the eventual champion Bianca Andreescu.
Purple Group: Karolina Pliskova, Bianca Andreescu, Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina
Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic)
Karolina Pliskova enters the WTA Finals because the participant with probably the most titles gained throughout the season.
She has claimed 4 WTA trophies – in Brisbane, Rome, Eastbourne, and Zhengzhou – and made 5 closing appearances.
She additionally made it to the semifinal of the 2019 Australian Open the place she was crushed by Naomi Osaka.
Bianca Andreescu (Canada)
Canadian rising star Bianca Andreescu made an enormous sensation at this 12 months’s US Open, upsetting 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams within the closing.
With that outstanding triumph the 19-year-old turned the primary Canadian ever to elevate a Main singles title.
Simona Halep (Romania)
Simona Halep acquired off to an excellent begin this 12 months by reaching two finals in Doha and Madrid.
Nevertheless that relative success was overshadowed by an enormous disappointment on the French Open when she didn’t defend her title, being eradicated by unseeded US participant Amanda Anisimova within the quarterfinal.
Halep redeemed herself in type by profitable Winbledon, the place she outplayed Serena Williams within the closing.
Elina Svitolina (Ukraine)
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina might be making an attempt to defend the title she took dwelling final 12 months in Singapore.
She hasn’t loved an excellent season, being left and not using a title and shedding all 5 semi-finals she took half in, together with her maiden US Open final 4 conflict towards Serena Williams.
