With semis secured, Kerber helps Cibulkova, bolsters No. 1 bona fides

Angelique Kerber: No. 1 in the world, No. 1 in Dominika Cibulkova’s heart. For Cibulkova not only needed to win in straight sets on Thursday to have a chance at reaching the semifinals in Singapore, but she also needed Kerber to prevail in straights.

And that’s exactly what happened. Cibulkova’s 6-3, 7-6 (5) victory over Simona Halep, combined with Kerber’s 6-3, 6-3 win over Madison Keys, unlocked the only door that led the Slovak to the knockout stage of the WTA Finals:

After her two-set victory, Cibulkova was asked if she’d follow Kerber’s progress.

“Probably, yes, I will be checking the score, but that’s the worst thing you can do,” Cibulkova said to laughs. “Maybe we’ll just go shopping to forget it, see the result.”

Cibulkova was then asked what she would buy Kerber if the top seed indeed did her part. Perhaps the questioner was fishing for a Tiffany & Co. plug—note the advertising on the backdrop—but Cibulkova didn’t bite. It would be a nice gesture, though, since Kerber had little to play for.

But as we’ve witnessed all season, no matter the playing surface or part of the globe, Kerber maintained a high standard of play. Keys needed to win just one set to advance, but it was too much to ask from the 21-year-old:

If Kerber wins her next match, she’ll have reached at least the final of a significant tournament on five different continents this season: Australian Open (champion), Wimbledon (runner-up), Olympics (runner up), U.S. Open (champion), WTA Finals (TBD).

Angelique Kerber: Putting the world in world No. 1.