Welcome to the first edition of our Metro.co.uk ‘Player in Focus’ series.
Each week we will take a look at a tennis star on either the WTA or ATP tour and offer some insight into what they __have achieved and what lies ahead in future weeks.
Dominika Cibulkova will be the first ace under the microscope after finishing her 2016 campaign in style.
The 27-year-old rounded off her best year to date with a stunning WTA Finals victory over world No. 1 Angelique Kerber.
Here we take a look at how she’s progressed this year and what we can expect from her in 2017.
What has she achieved this year?
It’s been a terrific year on the whole for the Slovak, who won an impressive four WTA titles.
After suffering with an Achilles injury in 2015, which ruled her out for a decent portion of the season, Cibulkova has made a real comeback this year.
She had only landed four titles in her career prior to 2016 where she secured wins in Katowice, Eastbourne, Linz and, most impressively at the WTA Finals in Singapore.
The event sees the top eight players on the WTA circuit battle it out as they look for a final push up the rankings and to end the campaign on a high.
Cibulkova factfile
Nationality: Slovakian
Birthplace: Bratislava
Current ranking: 5
Highest ranking: 5
No. of Grand Slam titles: 0
Playing style: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Making her debut at the season-ending event, Cibulkova secured the biggest victory of her career with a 6-3 6-4 triumph over Kerber in the final.
Biggest disappointments of 2016?
Her performances in the Grand Slams left plenty to be desired.
A straight sets first-round defeat to Kristina Mladenovic in Australia was followed up by a third-round loss to Carla Suarez Navarro.
Wimbledon proved to be her most successful Slam, reaching the quarter-finals, although she will be disappointed to __have crashed out to Elena Vesnina, who had never previously made a semi-final appearance at any major.
A third-round exit at the US Open to Lesia Tsurenko capped off a generally disappointing year on the biggest stages.
What have been the biggest achievements in her career?
She reached the final of the 2014 Australian Open in impressive fashion, beating Suarez Navarro, Maria Sharapova, Simona Halep and Agnieszka Radwanska on her way to the final in Melbourne before suffering defeat to Li Na.
Titles won by Cibulkova
2014 – Acapulco
2013 – Stanford
2012 – Carlsbad
2011 – Moscow
Her win in Singapore at the WTA Finals will be regarded as her biggest to date and cracking the top five as a result of her success is a solid achievement.
What can she realistically target next season?
Further progression in the Grand Slams.
Cibulkova has proven she can mix it with the best and she must now look to find more consistency in the majors.
Aside from her one venture into the final in Australia, she’s not reached the semi-final of a Slam since 2009 – something that she must improve.
Beating Kerber should provide a major confidence boost
Can she become world No. 1?
It would take a remarkable streak of form for her to knock Angelique Kerber and Serena Williams off the top of the pile but the No. 3 spot is within her grasp.
WTA rankings
2. Williams – 7,050
3. Radwanska – 5,600
4. Halep – 5,228
5. Cibulkova – 4,875
6. Pliskova – 4,600
7. Muguruza – 4,236
8. Keys – 4,137
9. Kuznetsova – 4,115
10. Konta – 3,455
She’s left plenty of room for improvement at the majors and she can look to close the gap on both Halep and Radwanska with a good performance in Australia.
With Williams’ career winding down, and Kerber proving that it’s more than possible to start winning majors above the age of 28, anything is possible for Cibulkova if she truly believes.
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