WTA Finals: Serena Williams withdrawal aids Kvitova not Halep

There is, however, just one small problem with Halep’s respective prices; she holds no positive head-to-head records when paired with these opponents. Russia sporting icon Sharapova has won all five previous meetings with the Romanian, while fellow Eastern European player Radwanska holds a 4-4 return from old encounters. Even veteran Italian and clay court specialist Pennetta is 4-1 up on Halep.

Were it not for Sharapova’s poor performances at the WTA Tour Finals – her only victory came in 2004 – the 11/2 price in the outright betting market would appeal, but she’s still worth backing at 5/2 to top the Red Group.

Polish player Radwanska (5/1 outright), meanwhile, has a wretched record against the Russian and Pennetta is a rank 20/1 tournament outsider because her heart cannot be in the sport now she’s about to quit.

Kvitova to wrap up White Group

In the other side of the WTA Finals draw, the White Group involves two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova joined by this year’s All-England Club runner-up Garbine Muguruza, French Open finalist Lucie Safarova and Germany’s Angelique Kerber.

Of the two Czech Republic players in this pool, it’s Kvitova who appeals at 2/1 to finish top because of her fine head-to-head records against compatriot Safarova (7-0) and Kerber (4-2, with a sole defeat on this surface).

Narrow 13/8 White Group favourite Muguruza flies the flag for Spain, but her game suits grass and clay much better than hard courts. The Venezuelan born player has never faced 2011 WTA Finals champion Kvitova before, so that first-time encounter looks set to determine who is seeded in the semis.

Kerber and Safarova never quite put their tennis together consistently, so it’s definitely between 4/1 outright chance Muguruza and fantastic 5/1 shot Kvitova. They should be facing Sharapova, plus one in the knockout stage in Singapore.

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Coral’s top tip: Petra Kvitova is a fabulous price to win another WTA Finals title here at 5/1.