Venus, Pliskova to clash for WTA Elite trophy

Today’s WTA Elite Trophy final match to be played in Zhuhai will be the first career meeting between Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic, the 23-year-old world number 13 who won her fourth career title in Prague earlier this year, and 11th-ranked Venus Williams (right) of the USA, a seven-time Grand Slam winner. (AFP)DPA/Zhuhai, ChinaVenus Williams and Karolina Pliskova produced overwhelming victories to set up a final between two tennis generations at the WTA Elite Trophy. Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, defeated Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-2 in 45 minutes to take partial revenge for the Italian’s upset of her sister Serena in the recent US Open semi-finals. The victory was the 40th this season for the revitalised 35-year-old Williams, who is heading back to the top 10 ranking after a five-year absence. Czech standout Pliskova, 23, hammered Elina Svitolina of the Ukraine 6-3, 6-1 to reach today's title match. Williams will square off in her 78th career final in a bid for her 48th trophy. Vinci goes into the off-season with a 21-20 record and ranked 43rd, thanks in part to her final at the US Open against compatriot and good friend Flavia Pennetta. Williams stepped up her pace after fighting through for a win over Vinci a month ago in China, winning Zhuhai match with ease as she broke six times. “Wow, first final here... I’m very honoured to be in the first final in Zhuhai,” Williams said. “Today wasn’t an easy match—every game was really well-contested and she never gave me any points. She’s had a great year, I felt like I really earned the win today.” Williams now stands 5-0 over Vinci as she won 40 matches for the first time in a season since 2008. “China’s been good to me this year,” said Williams, who won a trophy in the country in Wuhan last month. “I played well in Wuhan, and now another final here in Zhuhai. I hope I can win one more match. It won’t be easy - I’m looking forward to it.” Pliskova, ranked 13th, beat Svitolina with six aces and four breaks of serve as she reached her second final this season after winning Prague in April. The Elite Trophy is designed for year-end finishers between ninth and 19th, with a Chinese wild card thrown into the mix. Today’s final will be the first career meeting between 11th-ranked Williams and Pliskova, the 23-year-old world number 13 who won her fourth career title in Prague this year. Williams has not collected three titles in a season since 2008, the year she last won a Grand Slam tournament when she triumphed for a fifth time at Wimbledon. The WTA Elite Trophy is a new event with a field of 12 and intended as a second-tier version of the eight-player WTA Finals, which was won last week by Agnieszka Radwanska.