World number three Karolina Pliskova launched her bid for a season-ending triumph at the WTA Finals in Singapore with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 victory over a sluggish Venus Williams on Sunday.
Opening the tournament, which fields the top eight players, the dynamic Czech player overwhelmed Williams from the get-go in a one-sided match that lasted just one hour and 12 minutes.
Pliskova, playing her first match under Rennae Stubbs, showcased her heavy artillery in a much-needed confidence boost for the 25-year-old, who slipped in the rankings after being crowned world number one in July.
It was an anti-climax for Williams in her first WTA Finals since 2009 and an early blow to the 37-year-old’s bid to be crowned the world’s number one for the first time in 15 years.
Pliskova started the match with an ace and showed her proficiency in returning by breaking Williams in the second game to gain an early stranglehold. Williams struggled to dust off the cobwebs. Her error-strewn first set was marred by nine unforced errors and three double faults.
