By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday October 3, 2021
Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic has officially become the fourth WTA player to qualify for this year’s WTA Finals at Guadalajara.
Pliskova joins Ashleigh Barty, Aryna Sabalenka and Barbora Krejcikova in the 2021 field, leaving four singles spots up for grabs. In addition, Katerina Siniakova, along with partner Krejcikova, and the all-Japanese pairing of Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara have qualified in doubles.
Per the WTA, via press release:
Pliskova has reached the semifinal stage in her last three outings at the WTA Finals from 2017-19, and this year will mark her fifth consecutive appearance at the year-end finale. Only four active players have competed in more WTA Finals, these being Serena Williams (9), Kim Clijsters (7), Petra Kvitova (7) and Svetlana Kuznetsova (6). In Pliskova’s WTA Finals debut in 2016, she qualified in both singles and doubles alongside Germany’s Julia Goerges.
"I’m very proud to qualify for the WTA Finals for the fifth time," said Pliskova. "Playing at the WTA Finals means you are one of the best of the season and that is always the goal. I look forward to competing and experiencing the city of Guadalajara."
Muguruza Moves into Contention
Spain’s Garbiñe Muguruza, who captured the Chicago title on Sunday, moved up two spots to No.6, and is now only six points behind Maria Sakkari who occupies the No.5 position.
The Spaniard hopes to lock down a spot at Indian Wells over the next two weeks, but if she doesn’t she’s prepared to keep playing to ensure she joins the eight player field for the fourth time.
"I mean my goal now is to go for a Masters 1000, which is a very big event, and do as well I can over there,” Muguruza said on Sunday, adding” “If it's needed I'm all-in, I want to achieve my goals, and yes, I will play whatever is necessary if I have to." Guadalajara is playing host to the season-ending tournament for this year only, with the event returning to its home in Shenzhen, China in 2022. The event will take place from Nov 10 to Nov 17.
The Current Top 10
Here are the current Top-10 in the Race to Guadalajara singles.
1. Ashleigh Barty, 6411
2. Aryna Sabalenka, 4669
3. Barbora Krejcikova, 4398
4. Karolina Pliskova, 3972
5. Maria Sakkari, 3147
6. Garbiñe Muguruza, 3141
7. Iga Swiatek, 3106
8. Naomi Osaka, 2771
9. Ons Jabeur, 2685
10. Elise Mertens, 2438