Kvitova meets Stosur, Azarenka takes on Zvonareva in final four – Preview: WTA Championships 2011
The 2011 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships have entered the climax as the semi-finals are scheduled for October 29, 2011. The event narrowed down to four players, who will battle it out in Istanbul to qualify for the finals of
the tournament.
Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) will take on Samantha Stosur (Australia). The Czech has been in great form during the tournament and after defeating world number one, Danish Caroline Wozniacki, in an upset win of the tournament,
Kvitova would be highly motivated as she makes her entry into the semi finals.
The world number 7, Stosur, winner of the 2011 US Open and the finalist at 2010 French Open can win the match provided she doesn’t get intimated by the recent victories by her Czech opponent. On the other hand, Kvitova, the
2011 Wimbledon Champion should not get overconfident and must focus on the semi final. She might get some resistance from Stosur as the Australian could prove to be a worthy opponent in the semi finals.
Earlier in the tournament, the Australian defeated Li Na to enter the semi finals which was the heaviest defeat faced by the Chinese since Li Na’s defeat in 2008 to Nadia Petrova (Russia). This victory over the Chinese world number
5 would definitely motivate Stosur, providing her the added confidence to play against Kvitova.
Both players have met three times in the past where Kvitova has won two games, leading her personal score against the Australian with two games to one. Stosur, winner of three WTA career titles would want to include the 2011 TEB
BNP Paribas WTA Championship title in list of career wins but for that she needs to stay focused against Kvitova, who has the ability to come back from behind and edge a lead in the crucial parts of the game. World number 3, Kvitova, on the other hand, can
enter the finals of the event provided she plays her natural game.
In another semi final in line on Saturday would feature Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) play against Vera Zvonareva (Russia). The 22-year old Belarusian player faced a defeated by Marion Bartoli (France) in her last round robin match
on Friday. The French played as a replacement player for Maria Sharapova, who left the tournament due to an ankle injury. Although the loss to Bartoli did not reduce Azarenka’s points as she was already in the semi finals.
However, her defeat to Bartoli might have a negative impact on her mindset. The Belarusian needs to concentrate on her semi final match against world number world 6 Zvonareva if she wishes to enter the finals of the WTA Championships.
The 21-year old Russian played the finals of the 2008 WTA Championships but lost the match to Venus Williams (America). Her final match experience of 2008 will be useful for her to dominate her world number 4, Belarusian opponent, who is playing her debut
event this year.
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