SINGAPORE, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Dominika Cibulkova staged a thrilling fightback to defeat Svetlana Kuznetsova, taking her place in the final while world number one player Angelique Kerber crushed defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska in another match.
Kerber defeated Radwanska 6-2, 6-1 to advance to the final of the WTA Finals. The world number one player clearly dominated the match, and the Poland's player just wanted to press and be aggressive, not let Kerber dictate, but she had many errors, also missed the shots.
Kerber said it's just amazing to be here at Singapore Indoor Stadium after wining the match. "It's been an incredible 12 months...I've been really working to being focused, to being calm and to being just positive on court and this is the biggest improvement I've made," added the German on court.
Radwanska told the press that she tried but couldn't make the last shot. "There was a pretty tight beginning and couple of tight games as well that I could win, but actually all the games were going one way. Not my way unfortunately."
She said this is the first time to finish as number three, and this is also pretty good. "In the end of the day, I'm top 3, and, well, just time to go home," said Radwanska.
While in the match between Cibulkova and Kuznetsova, the Slovakian hauled herself back from the brink of defeat, winning the match 1-6, 7-6(2), 6-4.
Kuznetsova reeled off six straight games to win the first set 6-1 as Cibulkova could not find a pattern that seems to bother the Russian. However, the situation changed in the second set. Cibulkova earned break points and played some scrambling defense. Finally, the Slovakian took the second set, and kept the momentum to the final one, playing more aggressive tennis.
"At the end I was lying on the court and now I'm so excited. It's my first time here playing Finals and for me it's one of my dreams come true -- it's just incredible," Cibulkova said on court after the match.
When asked how she staged the fightback and finally won, Cibulkova responded that she just played her tennis.
"First set, she was really, really aggressive. I knew I had to change things because I needed to play my aggressive tennis. In the end I won because I was the more positive," said the Slovakian.
Kuznetsova told the press that she think Dominika was very aggressive, and she didn't use her advantage. Yet, the Russian player stressed she won't put any excuses for losing the match.
"I just did all I could, and I went short a little bit in the end," said Kuznetsova, "I'm very proud of effort I've done. I played many matches I didn't expect. Such a good ending of the season, and I'm proud of my effort."
