Story highlights
Angelique Kerber eases into WTA final
She will meet Dominika Cibulkova
Kerber has risen to the top of the rankings in 2016
Angelique Kerber is one win away from topping a fantastic season after cruising past Agnieszka Radwanska to make the WTA title match in Singapore.
The world number one easily dismissed the Polish player 6-2 6-1 in the end-of-season tournament and will now meet Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova in Sunday’s decider.
Kerber has enjoyed huge success in 2016 with victories in the Australian Open and US Open to add to a Wimbledon final appearance – knocking Serena Williams off the top of the rankings during her progress.
Her opponent on Sunday has also risen up the rankings in 2016, from 38th to eighth.
Cibulkova started slowly in her semi-final against Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova but emerged 1-6 7-6 (7/2) 6-4 winner. A victory Sunday would give the 27-year-old her biggest tournament triumph to date.
But she faces a tough task against the buoyant star of the 2016 tour.
“I have more confidence right now,” Kerber told reporters before the tournament started.
Kerber facing pace
“I know how to play the big tournaments also mentally, how to win really tough matches in tough situations, like playing finals in big tournaments, big stages. So this changed a lot [for me] as a player.”
Cibulkova only advanced to one grand slam quarterfinal – at Wimbledon days before she got married – but picked up plenty of points at WTA tournaments, winning three titles and reaching three other finals.
She is only 5-foot-3 but able to generate great pace off both the forehand and backhand and is one of the tour’s top competitors.
