Day 3 Wrap-Up in Istanbul

Written by: Staff on 28th October 2011

Day 3 Wrap-Up in Istanbul

Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic waves to the crowd afdter beating Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark in their group match at the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Istanbul, Turkey, 27 October 2011. Kvitova won 6-4 and 6-2. EPA/STRINGER TURKEY OUT |

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and Belarussian Victoria Azarenka – who has already scored wins this week over the reigning French and U.S. Open champions – have secured two of the final four semifinal sports at the season-ending WTA Championships on Thursday being played in Istanbul.

For the second straight match, world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki gave it all she had but came up short in a losing performance against Kvitova, falling 6-4, 6-2.

“I have been feeling tired, and to get a little bit sick now, that’s not the best if you want to beat the top players,” said Wozniacki, who called for the trained and had her blood pressure checked mid-match. “Today, Petra played well. And of course I wish I could have been 110 percent, but my body just didn’t want the things that I wanted today.”

In the only White Group match played, Azarenka handled Li Na 6-2, 6-2 to earn her way into the semis still with one match to play.

“I think she’s a very, very tough opponent,” Azarenka said about Li. “Especially if you give her one rhythm, she’s really solid and she can stay and outpower anybody. So I had to adjust, because the last two meetings that we had she really took advantage of me playing the same way … I had to change something and be more creative today.”

After beating Maria Sharapova in the opening match, Li (1-1 record) will play Stosur on Friday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. Azarenka is set to play Marion Bartoli, who replaced Sharapova, in a match that is essentially meaningless.

“I’m just going to try to use that match to work more on my game and improve little things that I could have done better today,” Azarenka said. “So I’m just going to use it as an advantage for me and try my best. I always do. When I’m on the court I’m 100 percent.”

Added Azarenka, who said she loved playing in front of the enthusiastic Istanbul crowds: “The crowd here in Istanbul just makes me want to play well and show them some good tennis. They’re a fantastic crowd and make me want to play really well.”

In the day’s late match, Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska beat sixth-seeded Vera Zvonareva, 1-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Zvonareva had her chances – three match points in fact – for a spot in the semifinals, but couldn’t hold off Radwanska.

Thursday’s scores:

Round Robin – Red Group

(3) Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) def. (1) Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) 6-4, 6-2

(8) Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) def. (6) Vera Zvonareva (Russia) 1-6, 6-2, 7-5

Round Robin – White Group

(4) Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) def. (5) Li Na (China) 6-2, 6-2