Siniakova sinks Bertens, sends Kvitova to Singapore

BEIJING, China - Katerina Siniakova defeated Kiki Bertens, 6-4, 6-3 at the China Open to move through to the quarterfinals.

Bertens’ loss had the spin-off effect of ensuring that Petra Kvitova will be present at the WTA Finals, as the Czech can no longer finish outside of the Top 8 in the Porsche Race to Singapore.

Siniakova was in command from the beginning, though had to fend off a fightback from her opponent in each of the two sets after she moved ahead early.

The match opened with a marathon game that saw four deuces before it was closed out by the Dutchwoman, who moved ahead for the first and only time in the match.

Siniakova, the WTA World No.40, broke at the first opportunity in the third game, and though Bertens hit back in the sixth, this reply was immediately countered.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Bertens getting her nose ahead early on serve, only for her opponent to whisk command of it from her in the third game. Again there was a response from the 26-year-old WTA World No.11 in the middle part of the set, but once more it proved insufficient.

It would be the eighth game of the second set that was to prove defining. Bertens found herself leading 15-40 – one of only three occasions in the match that either player got into such a commanding position – but the 22-year-old replied by saving both points. A string of four deuces followed, including another break point, but Siniakova won that arm wrestle.

A matter of minutes later, the match was over, the underdog coming from 30-15 down to take it at the first time of asking.

She has set up a quarterfinal - her first at Premier Mandatory level - against Anett Kontaveit or WTA World No.2 Caroline Wozniacki.