Bertens hit her peak professional ranking of No. 4 in May 2019. During a rollercoaster match that saw 12 breaks of serve, she managed to beat Barty 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in just over two hours. Her presence in the draw was unexpected, as she stepped in for Naomi Osaka, who had to pull out just before the event because of shoulder problems. The match started poorly for Bertens, who looked nervous and surrendered her first three service games, giving Barty an early lead and the first set.
Her most elevated WTA singles positioning is No. 4, which she came to on 13 May 2019. Bertens won 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 of every two hours and nine minutes in a see-saw match including 12 breaks of serve. Bertens was a late substitution for world No.3 Naomi Osaka, who prior in the day pulled back from the cooperative competition because of a shoulder injury. She seemed apprehensive under the brilliant lights dropping her initial three assistance games and Barty, who has bolted up the year-end number one positioning, jumped to flee with the principal set.
In a dramatic turn of events on Tuesday at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen, Kiki Bertens shocked the world number one, Ashleigh Barty, with a gritty three-set comeback. Despite trailing by a set and a break, the world No. 10 turned the tide through aggressive returning and a strong presence at the net, ultimately dismantling a struggling Barty, who had been fighting for a semi-final berth.
After a grueling two-hour and nine-minute battle featuring 12 breaks of serve, Bertens emerged victorious with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Reflecting on the match, Bertens admitted her start was shaky but noted that she improved by playing more aggressively and attacking the net. She had only joined the competition as a replacement for the injured Naomi Osaka, who withdrew on the day of the match.
The match began with Bertens appearing unsettled, losing three straight service games to Barty, who was firmly established as the year-end number one and took the first set with ease. However, the momentum shifted as Bertens grew more confident, using a delicate touch at the net and relentless pressure to break Barty's serve repeatedly in the final two sets, securing her first-ever win against the Australian.
This victory builds on Bertens' recent momentum, following a final appearance in Zhuhai and a semi-final run at the China Open, where she had narrowly lost a three-set thriller to Barty. Having reached the semi-finals the previous year, Bertens now needs two wins to advance from the Red Group. Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic's fate depends on winning her upcoming clash with Petra Kvitova to stay in the hunt.