Just like last year, defending champion Elina Svitolina finished the round-robin phase of the WTA Finals undefeated. The Ukrainian had progressed into the semis with a victory over Simona Halep on Wednesday, while on Friday she improved her Purple Group score to 3-0 by winning a thrilling two-setter against Sofia Kenin, 7-5 7-6(10).
When the Shiseido WTA Finals Shenzhen started, the 20-year-old Kenin was the second alternate patiently waiting around, but as injuries and illness crept in on players, the American got a chance to play, entering the draw as a replacement for Bianca Andreescu.