WTA Finals: Jelena Ostapenko pummels Karolina Pliskova in straight sets

World number three Karolina Pliskova remains confident she can rebound from a disappointing straight sets loss to Jelena Ostapenko in the WTA Finals on Thursday, as the Czech prepares for her semifinal debut in Singapore. The 25-year-old was outclassed in the dead rubber encounter 6-3, 6-1 in 66 minutes at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

Pliskova, who is in the running to finish world number one, had already locked up pole position from the White Group after losing just eight games across her opening two matches. Lacking intensity, an uninspired Pliskova’s reliable big serve was uncharacteristically erratic and she was broken five times in the match.

It was the first time Pliskova had lost to Ostapenko, who grew in confidence and unleashed her powerful groundstrokes to dictate the rallies. With the pressure off, Ostapenko went for her shots, showing glimpses of brilliance rarely seen in Singapore after a breakout season. She hit 15 winners during an impressive first set and reeled off seven straight games to take a stranglehold of the match.

The victory, her first in Singapore, was a consolation after a disappointing WTA Finals debut, where she was eliminated after a three-set defeat to Venus Williams on Tuesday. The French Open champion said she enjoyed finishing the season on a high. “I think I was playing relaxed, and I just showed my best today,” Ostapenko said.