2019 WTA Elite Trophy (Zhuhai) - Official Tournament Thread

[Enceladus]

Defending champion: Ashleigh Barty (will not participate this year, as she will instead be playing in the 2019 WTA Finals)

Official website:

WTA Elite Trophy - Zhuhai 珠海WTA超级精英赛

Wiki-link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_WTA_Elite_Trophy_–_Singles
Edition: 5th
Date: October 22 – 27
Number of players in main draw: 12S
Prize money:
US$2,419,844
Surface: Hard (outdoor environment)
Location: Zhuhai, China
Venue: Hengqin Tennis Center
TV broadcast:

Where to watch | WTA Tennis

CountryChannelAustraliabeINAustriaDAZNBelarus

www.wtatennis.com

 

[Enceladus]

DRAW:

Azalea Group:

Camellia Group:

Orchid Group:

Rose group:

 

[Enceladus]

Female participants of 2019 WTA Elite Trophy at press conferences (1st part):

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186199841849790464

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186200931810988033

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186208354978283520

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186223808429973505

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186229139881091073

 

[Enceladus]

Female participants of 2019 WTA Elite Trophy at press conferences (2nd part):

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186198591766794242

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186196775863930880

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186197319810633728

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186195291571027974

 

[Moose Malloy]

What's the schedule of play for tomorrow?

 

[spystud]

Play starts at 12:30pm

Oksana KALASHNIKOVA (GEO) / Sofia KENIN (USA) v [WC] JIANG Xinyu (CHN) / TANG Qianhui (CHN) [5]

Not before 2pm
Aryna SABALENKA (BLR) [4] v Maria SAKKARI (GRE) [9]

Kiki BERTENS (NED) [1] v Donna VEKIC (CRO) [8]

Not before 7:30pm
Madison KEYS (USA) [3] v [WC] ZHENG Saisai (CHN) [12]

 

[D-Lite]

The doubles draw for this tournament is always so weak and random. The points/prize money aren't too bad, are they?

 

[Enceladus]

Tournament participant comments - Alison Riske:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1186997270320951296

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1187053318700318720

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

SF for 2 groups would be

Bertens vs Yastremska
Sabalenka vs Mertens

 

[ScentOfDefeat]

I'm enjoying Muchova's tennis so far.
I hadn't paid much attention to her yet.

It's refreshing to see a modern game that draws inspiration from classic Czech tennis: the great slice, an attacking mindset and excellent net skills.
The Mandlikova and Novotna fan in me is happy.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Bertens through.

Martic vs Zheng will decide whoever got through. Zheng just needed a set.
Kenin vs Muchova whoever win through.
Sabalenka vs Mertens whoever win through.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

I'm enjoying Muchova's tennis so far.
I hadn't paid much attention to her yet.

It's refreshing to see a modern game that draws inspiration from classic Czech tennis: the great slice, an attacking mindset and excellent net skills.
The Mandlikova and Novotna fan in me is happy.

Should see Wimbledon where she frustrated the heck out of Pliskova.
Her first serve is good too. Better for S&V than Townsend although the later is lefty.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

This tournament really is weird for the rankings.

If #10 Bertens wins the title she could potentially finish as #8 in the rankings (ahead of Serena and Svitolina, possibly Bencic if Belinda doesn't play all 3 matches) despite not actually qualifying for the YEC which features the "top 8 players of the year".

Even weirder, Bertens can go to Shenzhen as an alternate and could potentially get more points for her ranking if someone withdraws (Halep still is a question mark of course).... Crazy

 

[spystud]

Kenin/Muchova warming up now.

 

[spystud]

Semis...

Not before 3:00 p.m.
[1] Kiki BERTENS (NED) vs. [12/WC] ZHENG Saisai (CHN)

Not before 4:30 p.m.
[11] Karolina MUCHOVA (CZE) vs. [4] Aryna SABALENKA (BLR)

 

[spystud]

Bertens v. Sabalenka in the final.

 

[JJGUY]

Saba took the first set 6:4, she was super aggressive when Bertens serving to stay, it looks like she was so determined to break her and she did, almost broke her to love.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

Sabalenka win 4&2.

5th title overall and 4th in China.

 

[Aussie Darcy]

Sabalenka is the Zhuhai champ. Beats Bertens 6-4 6-2. She goes up to #11 in the world.

Bertens up to #7 and I guess she’ll head to Shenzhen where she’s an alternate and could get more points if someone withdraws.

 

[JJGUY]

Sabalenka win 4&2.

5th title overall and 4th in China.

lol, she probably hopes all WTA and slam will be held in China.

 

[NaomiKonjuhPotapova]

lol, she probably hopes all WTA and slam will be held in China.

As it should be (The Grandslam).

 

[JJGUY]

This tournament really is weird for the rankings.

If #10 Bertens wins the title she could potentially finish as #8 in the rankings (ahead of Serena and Svitolina, possibly Bencic if Belinda doesn't play all 3 matches) despite not actually qualifying for the YEC which features the "top 8 players of the year".

Even weirder, Bertens can go to Shenzhen as an alternate and could potentially get more points for her ranking if someone withdraws (Halep still is a question mark of course).... Crazy

this was much talked about when WTA launched the elite trophy, there is indeed a very high chance the front runner(s) in Zhuhai will leap and overtake some top 8 players in WTA finals. The whole two final setup is flawed, what they should do is to take the ATP approach - the next generation showdown in Zhuhai, but I guess overall young players in WTA fare much better than their male counterparts in ATP, probably no need to divide them based on age groups.