Andrea Petkovic defeated Dominika Cibulkova to become the first player to qualify for the Garanti Koza WTA Tournament Of Champions semifinals.
With the win Petkovic is guaranteed to be one of the two players moving into the semifinals from Group Sredets. The last remaining round robin match from the group, sees Carla Suárez Navarro take on Tsvetana Pironkova, which will determine the other player who advances.
If Suárez Navarro wins in straight sets, she’s in – anything else happens and Cibulkova’s in.
Earlier, Garbiñe Muguruza and Alizé Cornet won round robin matches in Group Serdika, beginning with No.7-seeded Muguruza 0-6, 6-1, 6-1 win over No.3-seeded Flavia Pennetta.
The No.6-seeded Cornet had a simpler win in the next match over No.1-seeded Ekaterina Makarova, 6-1, 6-4, but Makarova was later forced to pull out of the tournament because of a back injury.
The last two round robin matches from Group Serdika will take the court on Friday, with Cornet facing Muguruza and Pennetta facing WTA Rising Star Karolina Pliskova, who is stepping in for Makarova.
Group Sredets
4-Andrea Petkovic (Germany) beat 2-Dominika Cibulkova (Slovakia) 7-5 6-3
Group Serdika
6-Alize Cornet (France) beat 1-Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) 6-1 6-4
7-Garbine Muguruza Blanco (Spain) beat 3-Flavia Pennetta (Italy) 0-6 6-1 6-1
Group Serdika P W L F A Pts
1. Garbine Muguruza Blanco 2 2 0 4 1 4
2. Flavia Pennetta 2 1 1 3 2 2
3. Alize Cornet 2 1 1 2 2 2
4. Ekaterina Makarova 2 0 2 0 4 0
Group Sredets P W L F A Pts
1. Andrea Petkovic 3 2 1 4 2 4
2. Dominika Cibulkova 3 2 1 4 2 4
3. Carla Suarez Navarro 2 1 1 2 2 2
4. Tsvetana Pironkova 2 0 2 0 4 0
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