• Pliskova defeated Halep 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 in Shenzhen• Elina Svitolina earlier beat Sofia Kenin in dead rubberKarolina Pliskova is not immediately known for her competitive
fire but on Friday she battled hard and finally defeated Simona Halep 6-0, 2-6, 6-4 in a dramatic thriller to complete the round robin stage of the WTA Finals in Shenzhen.
Despite the spectacle of a new venue and breathtaking prize money, the WTA Finals have been shrouded by bad luck and the effects of the relentless 11-month season. Between Tuesday and Thursday Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu and Kiki Bertens, the latter drafted in to replace Osaka, all departed the tournament on consecutive days due to injury, either retiring from their matches or withdrawing from the tournament outright.