US Open finalist Roberta Vinci beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-4 yesterday in her first match of the WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, China.
The fourth-seeded Italian saved all three break points she faced against No. 11 Kuznetsova.
The tournament brings together 11 of the top players who did not qualify for last week’s WTA Finals in Singapore, including Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams, who will compete for a US$2.5 million purse. It is a new event being held at a purpose-built facility in Zhuhai, which borders Macau.
Zheng Saisai of China was added to the field as a wild-card entry.
The qualifiers compete in a four-group round robin format, with the winners of each group advancing to the semi-finals.
On Tuesday, top seed Williams opened the inaugural tournament with a tight three-sets win over fellow American Madison Keys.
The seven-time Grand Slam-winner came from a set down to win 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 as she seeks to end her season with a 48th career title.
Williams, aged 35 and ranked 11th in the world, is enjoying an Indian summer in her career exemplified by her victory at last month’s Wuhan Open.
Later, Serbian former world No. 1 Jankovic also got off to a winning start when she beat Italy’s Sara Errani 6-4, 7-5.
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