HOW THE EIGHT CONTENDERS AT THE WTA TOUR FINALS SHAPE UP (PREFIX DENOTES RANKING):

RED GROUP

1-Ashleigh Barty (AUS)

2019 titles: 3 (Miami, French Open, Birmingham)

2019 win-loss: 52-11

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 8-16

The world No.1 boasts the most match wins this season but must overcome the worst overall head-to-head record against her top-eight rivals to reign in Shenzhen.

3-Naomi Osaka (JPN)

2019 titles: 3 (Australian Open, Osaka, Beijing)

2019 win-loss: 39-11

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 11-14

The reigning Australian Open champion is the slight title favourite after beating Barty in the final of the China Open last start.

6-Petra Kvitova (CZE)

2019 titles: 2 (Sydney, Stuttgart)

2019 win-loss: 37-13

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 19-10

Faces Osaka in the opening match of the finals in a sequel to their 2019 Australian Open title showdown in what could set the tone for the tournament.

7-Belinda Bencic (SUI)

2019 titles: 2 (Dubai, Moscow)

2019 win-loss: 47-19

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 8-10

The highly-rated Swiss youngster has enjoyed a eye-catching second half of the year to arrive in China among the form players in the world.

PURPLE GROUP

2-Karolina Pliskova (CZE)

2019 titles: 4 (Brisbane, Rome, Eastbourne, Zhengzhou)

2019 win-loss: 50-15

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 13-20

The only player in the draw with the faintest hope of denying Barty the year-end No.1 ranking but would need the Australian to not complete the pool stages for any reason.

4-Bianca Andreescu (CAN)

2019 titles: 3 (Indian Wells, Toronto, US Open)

2019 win-loss: 40-10

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 3-1

The teenage revelation is the wildcard in the draw having never met three of her seven rivals and played the other four only once each, losing only to Osaka.

5-Simona Halep (ROM)

2019 titles: 1 (Wimbledon)

2019 win-loss: 42-15

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 23-12

The Wimbledon champion is the most experienced campaigner in Shenzhen and also possesses the best collective head-to-head record over the season-ending finalists.

8-Elina Svitolina (UKR)

2019 titles: 0

2019 win-loss: 35-21

Record against fellow WTA Finals contenders: 18-22

The defending champion is more familiar with her challengers than anyone in the field having played the respective finalists a total of 40 times.

SUNDAY’S ORDER OF PLAY (FROM 7.30PM AEDT)

3-Naomi Osaka (JPN) v 6-Petra Kvitova (CZE)

1-Ashleigh Barty (AUS) v 7-Belinda Bencic (SUI)