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  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia – Yulia Putintseva made another thrilling comeback at the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy, shocking BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global champion and No.2 seed Dominika Cibulkova, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. The Kazakh’s first Top 5 win helps reach her first WTA final where she’ll face Kristina Mladenovic, who also triumphed in three sets against Russia’s Natalia Vikhlyantseva, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2.

“It’s unbelievable,” Putintseva said after the match. “I’m very happy that the crowd was behind me this time around. Yesterday they supported more Svetlana and today they cheered for me. I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.”

Putintseva was playing her first Premier-level semifinal and coming off her third career Top 10 win over No.3 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, giving the more experienced Cibulkova the upper hand from the start. The Slovak worked through a few tense opening games to edge ahead by a break and take the opening set with the help of nine winners.

Cibulkova fell behind a break to start the second, but after winning three straight games to level the set, a first final of 2017, a career-high ranking of No.4, and a 399th career win all appeared on the cards for the reigning WTA Finals champion.

But the unseeded 22-year-old had other ideas, holding and breaking serve in quick succession to level the match, cleaning up her side of the stat sheet with 12 winners to only eight unforced errors; Cibulkova maintained an almost exact inverse, hitting eight winners to 13 errors.

The final set was reminiscent of Friday’s quarterfinal between Putintseva and Kuznetsova, as the World No.5 twice led by a break, getting within two points of a 5-3 lead.

“I never give up and always try to dictate my game no matter what. And this is what I was trying to do throughout this match.

But Putintseva continued to play her best tennis when her back was up against the wall, winning four straight games to book her first-ever WTA final in two hours and 19 minutes.

By match’s end, it was clear that consistency had gotten the job done for Putintseva, who matched Cibulkova in winners (27 each), but hit 11 fewer errors (43 to 32).

“It’s my first WTA final, but actually I don’t feel any pressure here. I am enjoying every moment I spend on the court.”

Waiting for her in the championship match will be Mladenovic, herself enjoying a career-best run that began with an emphatic win over Australian Open runner-up Venus Williams. The Frenchwoman back up the upset by dethroning defending champion Roberta Vinci and remained composed after losing the first set to Vikhlyantseva, a rising Russian set to make her Top 100 debut after reaching her first semifinal at a WTA Premier event.

“She’s really powerful, and all credit to her in the first set,” Mladenovic said after the match. “I was like, ‘Geez, this is going very fast.’ She was playing very heavy with her groundstrokes, and hitting a lot of winners.

“I just dug really deep and I was trying to stay positive. I said to myself that if she managed to maintain this high energy and intensity for the whole match, good job. But I’m very happy to have stayed in the match long enough to turn it around.”

An unfamiliar opponent to many, Vikhlyantseva had previously pushed Mladenovic to three sets in ‘s-Hertogenbosch last summer, helping the unseeded Frenchwoman prepare for what became a three set battle.

“I think it was a very good match, high intensity from both of us. I think the difference today was my ability to maintain that intensity from first point to last. I felt that way mentally the whole match, but I could sense her start to drop her level physically, be it with footwork, and the legs. She became less precise, and because she takes so many risks from the baseline, she started to make more unforced errors.

Mladenovic and Putintseva have played four times before, splitting their head-to-head at two wins apiece; Putintseva won their most recent meeting last year at the BNP Paribas Open in straight sets.

“She’s in great form, playing really well. She’s a big fighter, who runs down a lot of balls. I’ll have to keep playing the same way I have all week, being aggressive, coming forward, and trying to dictate play with my forehand. I’ll try to find angles and try to find my game towards the net.”

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The Making Of The Iconic Photo At The 2016 WTA Finals

The Making Of The Iconic Photo At The 2016 WTA Finals

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970
Here’s what they’re all playing for: the Billie Jean King Trophy, awarded to the winner of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

Here’s what they’re all playing for: the Billie Jean King Trophy, awarded to the winner of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

But before that, there were a few things to take care of, like the draw ceremony and the Iconic Photo! Agnieszka Radwanska and Karolina Pliskova got made up together…

But before that, there were a few things to take care of, like the draw ceremony and the Iconic Photo! Agnieszka Radwanska and Karolina Pliskova got made up together…

… along with Finals debutante Madison Keys...

… along with Finals debutante Madison Keys…

…and WTA World No.1 Angelique Kerber.

…and WTA World No.1 Angelique Kerber.

That’s why she’s the fan favorite! WTA Finals defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska always has time for a selfie with her fans.

That’s why she’s the fan favorite! WTA Finals defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska always has time for a selfie with her fans.

The stars headed to Marina Bay Sands for the official draw ceremony, but not before they were presented with their WTA Year-End Awards. Angelique Kerber picked up 2016 WTA Player Of The Year…

The stars headed to Marina Bay Sands for the official draw ceremony, but not before they were presented with their WTA Year-End Awards. Angelique Kerber picked up 2016 WTA Player Of The Year…

…And Simona Halep was also among the winners, being awarded the 2016 Jerry Diamond ACES Award for helping promote tennis throughout the season.

…And Simona Halep was also among the winners, being awarded the 2016 Jerry Diamond ACES Award for helping promote tennis throughout the season.

The groups were decided with Radwanska leading the White Group, which includes Garbiñe Muguruza, Pliskova and the yet-to-be-determined eighth qualifier.

The groups were decided with Radwanska leading the White Group, which includes Garbiñe Muguruza, Pliskova and the yet-to-be-determined eighth qualifier.

Madison Keys was drawn into the Red Group, along with Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova and Halep.

Madison Keys was drawn into the Red Group, along with Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova and Halep.

What do you think of the draw, Domi?

What do you think of the draw, Domi?

With the draw ceremony done and dusted, the players headed to Merlion Park on the Singapore waterfront to take part in the Iconic Photo, the official photo of the WTA Finals.

With the draw ceremony done and dusted, the players headed to Merlion Park on the Singapore waterfront to take part in the Iconic Photo, the official photo of the WTA Finals.

Johanna Konta was also in attendance as she awaits to hear the fate of the eighth qualification spot.

Johanna Konta was also in attendance as she awaits to hear the fate of the eighth qualification spot.

Of course, before the Iconic Photo comes the iconic selfie - the unofficial photo of the WTA Finals!

Of course, before the Iconic Photo comes the iconic selfie – the unofficial photo of the WTA Finals!

And here is the Iconic Photo, featuring the seven confirmed qualifiers for the WTA Finals! Who will emerge on top against the greatest eight in women’s tennis?

And here is the Iconic Photo, featuring the seven confirmed qualifiers for the WTA Finals! Who will emerge on top against the greatest eight in women’s tennis?

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