Bertens subs in for injured Osaka, and tops No. 1 Barty in Shenzhen

Coming into Tuesday's WTA Finals match in Shenzhen with only practice sessions under her belt, Kiki Bertens picked up her first win in six tries against world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Bertens was a late substitution for Naomi Osaka, the world No. 3 who withdrew from the Red Group earlier on Tuesday due to a right shoulder injury.

“I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the Finals,” Osaka said. “It has been a great event in Shenzhen, and it’s the biggest WTA event of the year. This is not how I wanted to end this tournament or my season. I look forward to getting healthy and hope to be back here in Shenzhen next year.”

In the early goings of the match, Bertens and Barty traded five breaks, before the Aussie eventually pulled away to take the first set. The second set played out similarly, with both players having trouble holding serve—four consecutive breaks were exchanged at one point.  But this time, it was the 27-year-old Dutchwoman who raised her game to send the match to a deciding set.

Getty Images

In apparent cruise control, Bertens won the first four games of the final set. Barty attempted to mount a comeback after retrieving one of the breaks, but the alternate was able to close out the match.

“In the beginning, I think I was not playing so well,” said Bertens during her on-court interview after the win. “I had to feel the courts a little bit more but I think I was getting better and better in the rhythm, trying to play aggressive, trying to come to the net. So I think I did it pretty well.”

Post-match interview with Kiki Bertens

The Red Group’s Petra Kvitova and Belinda Bencic, who both lost their opening round-robin matches on Sunday, will take the court next. According to the WTA Live Blog, if Kvitova wins today’s match, Bencic will be eliminated. However, if the 22-year-old Swiss wins, the final round-robin matches on Thursday will determine the two semifinalists from the group.

Despite being an alternate, Bertens can still win the tournament. Per the WTA tour, the greatest number of match wins, followed by the greatest number of matches played, will decide the final round-robin group standings.