Dominika Cibulkova surprises everyone after winning the title in Singapore.

The energetic Slovakian had a lousy start of the finals to lose the first two matches in the round robin against Angelique Kerber and Madison Keys.  To qualify for the semifinals, Dominika had to beat Simona Halep in straight sets in the third match of her group, and she did it at the photo finish after winning 6-3 7-6 (5). In the semifinal, Dominika defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova after being trashed in the first set (1-6 7-6 (2) 6-4). Eventually, the Slovakian played her best tennis in the final against Angelique Kerber to demolish the world no.1 6-3 6-4.

I got lucky. CIBULKOVA

After the final, Dominika commented

“Coming here for the first time and winning the biggest title of my life, I have no words. Today you can see I got really lucky in the end.”

The match in the first round gave me confidence

Dominika lost to Angelique Kerber in a close encounter in the first round 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-3. The result gave some confidence to the Slovakian 

“In the first match I played against Angelique, that match gave me confidence that I could beat her,” Dominika said. “With this thought, I was going into the final, and I was feeling it from the first point to the last point. I didn’t let her into the match today with my being aggressive.”

This is Cibulkova’s 8th career title, and after this week she will end up the season as the new world no.5.