Cibulkova wins Billie Jean King Trophy in Singapore

Dominika Cibulkova stunned World No.1 Angelique Kerber in straight sets to win the Billie Jean King Trophy. 

The champ took time on Monday to relax and pose in front of a throng of photographers as the Slovak took pictures with the Billie Jean King Trophy.

Taking home the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global was a tough job for the No.7 seed, Cibulkova.

The Slovakian was unplayable at times during Sunday’s 6-3 6-4 triumph.

She had earlier who dropped to 66th in the rankings following her first-round exit at this year’s Australian Open, which Kerber won. 

She, however, wowed the crowd with a high-quality showing that left the world number one desperately searching for answers she could not find.

Kerber had won each of their previous matches in Singapore, including an opener.

Cibulkova was frequently the aggressor, winding up her forehand to devastating effect as she stormed into a 3-0 lead.

An 85 per cent first serve ratio underlined the challenge facing Kerber, who did manage to get back to 3-2, only to surrender another game on serve as Cibulkova continued to find winners from all over the court.

The shot that provided Cibulkova with set point – a glorious passing stroke through the narrowest of gaps – highlighted her confidence as the seventh seed wrapped up the first set in 32 minutes.

Kerber needed to mount a response and was more animated between points, but still found her second serve often punished by her on-song opponent.

A sixth double fault in game seven proved costly as Cibulkova broke to 15.

It left Kerber’s performance a long way short of the one she produced in a 6-2 6-1 semi-final win over defending champion Agnieszka Radwanska.

Cibulkova’s last-four match against Svetlana Kuznetsova, in which she lost the first set 6-1, lasted almost twice as long, but she showed no signs of fatigue.

There was, however, evidence of nerves, with Cibulkova spurning three championship points and saving two break points, before finally sealing a memorable victory with a fortuitous ricochet off the net.

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