WTA Finals: Pliskova beats Muguruza

Singapore: Third seed Karolina Pliskova thrashed Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza for the loss of just four games at the WTA Finals to become the first player to qualify for the semi-finals. The Czech, 25, won 6-2 6-2 in just 62 minutes to ensure she will win the White Group, with one match remaining. Venus Williams earlier overcame French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 7-5 6-7 (3-7) 7-5 in three hours 13 minutes. Muguruza and Williams will play for the second qualifying place on Thursday. World number one Simona Halep plays sixth seed Caroline Wozniacki in the Red Group with a semi-final place on the line at 12:30 BST on Wednesday, before fourth seed Elina Svitolina and eighth seed Caroline Garcia try to keep their hopes alive.