Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Monday 22 october 2018
Svitolina and Pliskova win opening matches at WTA Finals

SINGAPORE (AP) — Karo- maybe go somewhere for-
lina Pliskova and Elina Svi- ward."
tolina secured opening The Czech surrendered her
round-robin match wins at serve in the opening game
the WTA Finals on Sunday. of the match but man-
Pliskova, who now leads aged to recoup the break
the tour with 48 wins this in the next game. But she
season, defeated defend- was broken twice more in
ing champion Caroline the first set to fall behind.
Wozniacki of Denmark 6-2, Svitolina set up the second
6-4 in the second match. set win by breaking Kvito-
Pliskova saved all 10 break va's serve to go ahead 4-2.
points she faced in the Svitolina said her win was
match, including two when an answer to any sugges-
serving for the match in tions she didn't deserve to
the final game. The Czech play here, having qualified
closed out the match on a so late for the draw.
third match point with an "Winning this match defi-
ace. nitely gives me lots of con-
Earlier, Elina Svitolina of fidence," Svitolina said. "This
Ukraine ended a seven- win ... I want to take as
match losing streak against one to go forward, and for
Petra Kvitova of the Czech all those people and hat-
Republic for a 6-3, 6-3 win. Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic returns a shot from Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during ers that were saying that I
The seventh-ranked Svito- their match at the WTA tennis finals in Singapore, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. don't deserve to be here
lina, making her second Associated Press and I'm not good."
consecutive appearance Kvitova, who came into Sin-
in Singapore, only earned tally. I had to play quickly left the post-match news was only 55, which made gapore with a tour-leading
qualification to this year's and keep moving my feet conference but later re- the task of beating Svitolina five titles this season, and
tournament last week when so I need a massage now. turned. near impossible. Wozniacki now stand at 0-1
Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens "You have to play your best "I'm just not feeling good," She double-faulted seven in the White Group stand-
failed to reach the Moscow level because everybody is said Svitolina after return- times in the match, includ- ings.
semifinals. Later, Bertens very strong playing here." ing. A WTA spokesperson ing on set point in the first Wozniacki came into the
made the final eight when Svitolina, who now holds said Svitolina indicated she for Svitolina. Six of Kvitova's late match with a 6-3 ca-
No. 1-ranked Simona Halep a 1-0 record in the White was feeling light-headed seven double faults came reer record over Pliskova,
withdrew with a herniated Group, had only beaten with slight nausea. in the first set. including their last meeting
disk in her back. Kvitova once before in their The fifth-ranked Kvitova, "I think she really played in the round-robin portion
"It's very nice to be back first match at the 2014 Cin- who won the year-end very consistent," Kvitova of last year's WTA Finals.q
in Singapore and I'm very, cinnati tournament. Sun- title in 2011, never looked said. "Overall, yeah, it Wozniacki's best effort in
very happy with the match day's victory was Svitolina's settled and struggled with wasn't the best start, but the match was saving two
tonight," Svitolina told the first win against a top-10 her serve throughout the the good thing is that there match points on her serve
crowd. "I had to stay fo- opponent since May. 1 hour, 29 minutes match. is still a chance to play bet- in the ninth game of the
cused and be strong men- The Ukrainian player briefly Her first serve percentage ter and to improve, and second set.q

the wrong way," Koepka was tied for the lead there. the first time, joining Justin
said of his slow start. "I felt Brooks obviously just made Rose and Thomas. The last
like the one at 15 was quite some clutch shots down time that happened was
big with Gary making a the stretch." in 1997, when Ernie Els, Tom
charge." Palmer said he became Lehman and Tiger Woods
Woodland finished second more confident with each each rose to No. 1.
after a 63. Ryan Palmer of his seven straight birdies It was Koepka's 12th vic-
birdied his last seven holes on the back nine. tory worldwide, including
to shoot a course-record "The more I made, the four wins on the European
62 and finish in a tie for more free I felt in my Challenge Tour. He now
third place with Rafa Ca- swing and I was able to hit has won in six countries
brera Bello (65), four strokes some close," Palmer said. - the U.S., South Korea,
behind Koepka. "I made some long putts Spain, Italy, Turkey and
Woodland was happy with coming down the stretch. Scotland.
his final round, but looked Actually on 17, I looked at "Everything I've done this
back to a few missed bird- my scorecard, I was like, year it's been working. So I
Brooks Koepka of the United States poses with his trophy after
winning the CJ Cup PGA golf tournament at Nine Bridges on ie chances on Saturday. 'oh, that's six in a row.' It is don't want to change any-
Jeju Island, South Korea, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. "Brooks with the lead.not kind of back there, but you thing," Koepka said. "Just
Associated Press much fazes him," Wood- don't think about it. What a keep improving.
land said. "So you knew you special day." "I'm so excited right now,
Brooks Koepka stopped by the pin and had to make a lot of birdies Defending champion Jus- you have no idea. I can't
Continued from Page 18 dropped for the birdie. and I made a lot today. I tin Thomas, who could wait to go play again."
The biggest moment came Koepka finished in style was trying to put as much have prevented Koepka He'll get his chance soon.
on the 16th. Koepka went with a 25-foot eagle putt pressure as I could. But just from moving to No. 1 with Next week the PGA Tour
from a fairway bunker to on the 18th for a 29 on the shows I was too far back a repeat win, finished at heads to Shanghai for the
just left of the green, about back nine. to start after not making 5-under after a 68 Sunday. final stop on its Asian swing,
70 feet away. Koepka hit "I'm not somebody who's too many putts yesterday. Koepka is the third player the World Golf Champion-
a chip-and-run that was going to panic if things go I gave myself a chance, I this year to reach No. 1 for ships-HSBC Champions.q