CHRIS LINES
AP Sports Writer

SINGAPORE (AP) — Petra Kvitova beat Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-2 at the WTA Finals on Thursday, further eroding the Russian player’s hopes of claiming the year-end No. 1 ranking.

Sharapova, who needs to win the title to have a chance of overtaking Serena Williams for the No.1 ranking, fell to a 0-2 record while Kvitova is 1-1 in the White Group round-robin stage.

In order for Sharapova to progress to the semifinals, she will need to win her last match against Agnieszka Radwanska and rely on Caroline Wozniacki beating Kvitova while also having set and game percentage turn in her favor.

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