By Chris Oddo | Saturday November 5, 2016
With a title on the line, and vacation looming, Petra Kvitova will bid to stretch her winning streak to six against Elina Svitolina as the pair prepare to meet in the last final of the WTA season.
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Both players remained undefeated at the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai on Saturday, as Kvitova powered past China’s Zhang Shuai, 6-2, 6-2, while Svitolina knocked off World No.10 Johanna Konta, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, to set up their fourth meeting of 2016.
Kvitova, in stellar form, has won 36 of 48 games at Zhuhai and spent just three hours and three minutes on court. She also owns a 3-0 edge over Svitolina in 2016, having won all three meetings in straight sets.
Svitolina notched her ninth career Top 10 victory on Saturday, and fifth of 2016, by battling back to defeat Konta in three.
“This win means a lot, when I beat some players who are higher than me,” World No.14 Svitolina said, according to WTATennis.com. “It's always really, really positive and great experience. It's just one of the wins that brings me confidence."
Despite the loss Konta assured herself of a first ever Top 10 finish by reaching the semifinals in Zhuhai.
Svitolina rallied from 1-3 down in the final set to claim her spot in the final. She broke four times on eight opportunities to defeat the British No.1 in one hour and 40 minutes.
Kviova stormed past Zhang, saving the only break point she faced and converting all four of her break opportunities. The Czech won 27 of 31 first-serve points to reach her third final of the year.
Kvitova will bid for her 19th career title; Svitolina is bidding for her 5th.