WTA Finals: Williams, Halep Off to a Winning Start in Singapore

Serena Williams began her WTA Finals title defence on a winning note, seeing off Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic 6-4 6-4 in the first match of the 2014 season-ending campaign in Singapore.

The two-time defending champion is joined at the top of the Red Group standings by rising star Simona Halep, who beat Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard 6-2 6-3 later on Monday.

The No. 1-ranked American extended her winning run at the WTA Finals to 16 matches while it was Halep’s first win at the WTA finals.

Serena Williams is Bidding for Her Third  Successive WTA Finals Title.
Serena Williams is Bidding for Her Third Successive WTA Finals Title.

World number 5 Bouchard is now expected to win both her remaining group matches- against Williams and Ivanovic to advance to the semi-finals.

Maria Sharapova faces US Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki while Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova take on Agniesza Radwanska in the White Group on Tuesday.