Zhuhai 2018: Sabalenka seeking semifinals out of Orchid Group
One down, three to go.
Julia Goerges booked her spot in the semifinals of the Hengqin Life WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai with a straight sets win over Elise Mertens on Thursday, but Friday's play will determine who will join the defending champion in the final four.
Read more: Defending champ Goerges returns to Zhuhai semifinals
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka holds her qualification in her hands in the Orchid Group, while it's winner-take-all in the Camellia Group for Anastasija Sevastova and Garbiñe Muguruza.
Check out the qualification scenarios as of Friday, Nov. 2 below.
"I started very well today, and luckily that I won the match in straight sets. About the next match with Garbiñe, she's a tough opponent,I have to play my game like in the first set today." said #AnastasijaSevastova#WTAEliteTrophy #ShineinZhuhai #Zhuhai pic.twitter.com/wi9WbUpL8q
— WTA Elite Trophy (@WTAEliteTrophy) November 1, 2018
AZALEA - one match to play
M. KEYS (USA) vs. Q. WANG (CHN) - on Friday
It's simple for the 2017 US Open finalist: win, and in. If Keys wins in two sets on Friday, she qualifies for the semifinals.
Should that result come to pass, top seed Daria Kasatkina will finish second in the group.
If Keys wins in three sets, or Wang wins at all, then the order of the group will be either one of them in first or second - based on number of sets - with Kasatkina in third.
ORCHID - one match to play
A. SABALENKA (BLR) vs. C. GARCIA (FRA) - on Friday
Sabalenka holds her semifinal fate in her hands: the Belarusian will join Goerges in the semifinals with a win or a three-set loss, as this would give her either 4-0, 4-1 or 3-2 record in sets.
Garcia must win in straight sets to have any chance to qualify, but she cannot concede more than seven games in a win.
This would tie her with Ashleigh Barty, and Barty would advance as she won the match between the two on Thursday. Barty would advance if Garcia wins in two sets and loses more than seven games - unless the score is 7-6, 7-6 - in which case, Sabalenka advances.
CAMELLIA – one match to play
A. SEVASTOVA (LAT) vs. G. MUGURUZA (ESP) - on Friday
This match will decide who wins the group and who finishes second, with wildcard Zhang Shuai out of contention with an 0-2 match record.
LILY DOUBLES – two matches to play
M. BUZARNESCU (ROU) / A. ROSOLSKA (POL) vs. Q. TANG (CHN) / F. XUN (CHN) - on Friday
Buzarnescu/Rosolska will be eliminated if they lose to Tang/Xun and require a straight sets win to remain in contention with Shuko Aoyama and Lidziya Marozava in this group.
BOUGAINVILLEA DOUBLES – one match to play
M. KATO (JPN) / M. NINOMIYA (JPN) vs. X. JIANG (CHN) / Z. YANG (CHN) - on Saturday
The Kichenok sisters won their group and advance to Sunday’s final behind a 2-0 record. Kato/Ninomiya and Jiang/Yang play for second place on Saturday.