Public relations accounts executive Sean Long was disappointed when Serena Williams, his favourite female tennis player, withdrew from the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

But winning the "Coin Toss Opportunity", which was organised by The Straits Times in partnership with the WTA Finals, made up for his disappointment over the American 22-time Grand Slam singles winner's absence this year.

The 31-year-old won the chance to toss the coin for the match between world No. 1 Angelique Kerber and No. 8 Dominika Cibulkova yesterday, as well as a pair of premium tickets to the match.

The crowd cheered as Long took a photograph with both players, and he said getting to toss the coin was the highlight of his WTA Finals experience.

Laughing as he spoke to The Straits Times, he added: "I was so nervous, because everyone was looking at me.

"But it was fun; the umpire was very friendly and so were the players."

Long, who wished the players good luck before the match - the second of the session - was happy with its 7-6 (7-5), 2-6, 6-3 outcome in Kerber's favour.

"I was supporting Angie, but Domika was playing quite well and nobody deserved to lose," he said.

"I'll be rooting for Angie to win (the WTA Finals), because she's the world No. 1 and this will cement her status at the top."

Nicole Chia