Kontaveit first into semis, Muguruza still in contention

GUADALAJARA • Anett Kontaveit handed Karolina Pliskova a 6-4, 6-0 drubbing on Friday to become the first qualifier for the last four of the WTA Finals in Guadalajara, Mexico, while Garbine Muguruza came from behind to beat Barbora Krejcikova 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

The Estonian Kontaveit dominated the round-robin stage match and closed out the opener with a drop shot to break Pliskova's serve, having saved three break points in the third game.

The third-seeded Czech could not get a foothold in the second set as Kontaveit dropped only one first-serve point, while Pliskova struggled with her second serve.

It was Kontaveit's first win in four meetings with Pliskova.

"Of course, very thrilled to be in the semi-finals," she said.

"I've really been enjoying being on court, just having a good time.

"I think that's been the main thing why I've been doing so well. I do feel like I can take on everyone. I never expect an easy match, I always expect it to be tough. I just try my best when I go out there."

The WTA Finals divides the players into two groups of four, with each player competing in three matches. The top two from each group advance to the semi-finals.

Kontaveit, who has 28 wins in her last 30 matches, beat world No. 3 and French Open champion Krejcikova on Wednesday and is now guaranteed to finish in the top two in the group.

She came into the match on a career-best 11-match winning streak, having won the Transylvania Open and Kremlin Cup.

As for finally getting a win over Pliskova, she said it was all about having a short memory.

"I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was three-love down in previous matches," she said. "Every time you step on the court, you have a new opportunity. The previous matches don't really matter."

It looked like it would be an early exit from the tournament for Muguruza as she got off to a rocky start against second seed Krejcikova.

But she improved in the second set and ground out an early break in a lengthy game in the third to take a 2-1 lead she would not give back. The Spaniard then let out a mighty roar when Krejcikova sent a service return long on match point to complete the comeback.

Muguruza's gutsy victory means that she, along with Krejcikova and Pliskova, remain in the hunt for a semi-final spot heading into their final round-robin matches today.

"I started the first set not playing great," she said. "In the second set the crowd really helped me. I said before and I really mean it, because they cheer me up.

"I realised that, hey, I'm not leaving this court without changing things around at least or give Barbora the biggest fight."

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS