Kvitova to meet Svitolina in final

BEIJING — No. 3 seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic swept past China’s No. 1 Zhang Shuai 6-2, 6-2 to book a place in the final at the $2.2 million WTA Elite Trophy in Zhuhai Saturday. In the final, Kvitova will face Ukrain’s Elina Svitolina who beat Johanna Konta of Britain 2-6, 6-1, 6-4. Overcoming a partial home crowd in the seaside southern Chinese city, Kvitova dominated the Chinese wildcard in an impressive display, breezing to an early 5-1 lead shortly after the beginning of play and cruising to victory in 66 minutes. Kvitova has shown excellent form in recent months. Zhang, ranked 28th in the world, had bounced back from retirement rumours after a disappointing tour last year to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year. Thiem completes line-up Austria’s Dominic Thiem clinched the eighth and last spot for the World Tour Finals Friday after remaining rivals Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Tomas Berdych were beaten at the Paris Masters quarterfinals. The 23-year-old Thiem will make his debut at the London event which starts on Nov. 13 and is the first Austrian singles player to qualify since Thomas Muster in 1997. Thiem joins four-time defending champion and 2008 titlist Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori, Milos Raonic, fellow debutant Gael Monfils and Marin Cilic in the tournament. “I’m so happy to have made it to London,” said Thiem. — Agencies