ZHUHAI, China — U.S. Open finalist Roberta Vinci beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday in her first match of the WTA Elite Trophy.
The fourth-seeded Italian saved all three break points she faced against No. 11 Kuznetsova.
The tournament brings together 11 of the top players who did not qualify for last week's WTA Finals in Singapore, including Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic and Venus Williams. Zheng Saisai of China was added to the field as a wild-card entry.
The qualifiers compete in a four-group round robin format, with the winners of each group advancing to the semifinals.