WTA Finals

Sharapova's No.1 hopes end after Singapore elimination

ESPN staff

October 24, 2014

Maria Sharapova says she will be concentrating on winning more grand slams next year © Getty Images

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Maria Sharapova saw her hopes of finishing the year as world No.1 dashed after she was eliminated from the WTA Finals despite beating Agnieszka Radwanska on Friday.

A straight-sets win would have kept Sharapova's hopes alive, but Radwanska battled back from 5-1 down in the second, saving three match points on the way.

Sharapova went on to claim a 7-5 6-7(4) 6-2 victory, but dropping the second set meant she could no longer progress and will see Serena Williams end the year atop the rankings for the fourth time in her career.

French Open champion Sharapova, who has not been No.1 for almost 10 years, said she "will not be chasing the No.1 ranking next season".

"I think adding more grand slams is the top priority," she added.

Radwanska still progressed to the last four after Caroline Wozniacki beat Petra Kvitova 6-2 6-3 in their final group match to send the Wimbledon champion packing.

Ana Ivanovic needed to beat Simona Halep, who was already into the semi-finals where she will face Radwanska, in straight sets in order to progress herself. She came from two breaks down to win the first set, but lost the second.

Ivanovic's elimination means Williams also makes the last four, where she will face Wozniacki.

"I believe in myself and I believe in my skills," Wozniacki said. "I've been playing well, so I believed I could beat anyone."

That level of belief may not be quite as high against Williams, who has a 9-1 head-to-head record against Wozniacki, including victory in the US Open final.

"My match-up against her so far hasn't been great," Wozniacki said. "I won once and lost like 10 times, or nine, I don't know. I don't even count anymore.

"But it's a new tournament. It's a new week. I've been playing well really. Again, I believe that if I play like I did today, doesn't matter who's on the other side. I can win."