Saturday 22 October 2016

2016 WTA Finals Preview

As I've got a bit of time, I'll do a quick post before the start of the WTA Finals, looking at the ratings of the players playing in it. A full update for the Women's ratings will be completed tomorrow.

7 of the 8 finalists and the trophy, Kuznetsova is missing as she was still competing at the time of the draw. © Getty Images



The 8 tennis players who will be playing the WTA Finals, coloured by the group they are in, along with their ELO ratings are:
  1. Angelique Kerber - 1786
  2. Simona Halep - 1786
  3. Agnieszka Radwanska - 1770
  4. Madison Keys - 1736
  5. Dominika Cibulkova - 1730
  6. Svetlana Kuznetsova - 1726
  7. Karolina Pliskova - 1718
  8. Garbine Muguruza - 1674
Last year's champion Agnieszka Radwanska has the fortune of the easier group this time as she is up against the #6, #7 and #8 according to my rankings, and should be an odds on favourite to qualify to the semi finals. The 2nd slot is closer and more difficult to predict who will take it, but ELO gives a slight edge to Kuznetsova in the battle, but I'm not counting Pliskova out. I would be surprised if Muguruza qualified.

The Red Group is the "group of death" again, with ELO's top 2, and #4 and #5 in it. Someone in this group is going out earlier than I would expect. Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep are tied at the top right now, with Kerber ahead because she was ahead before they were tied. Those 2 are the favourites, but whilst it would be a bit of a surprise, it isn't impossible for one of Keys or Cibulkova to progress.

Best of luck to all of the players who made it to the WTA Finals, and may the best player win!