Iga Swiatek Dominates Madison Keys in WTA Finals Opener

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — World No. 2 Iga Swiatek began her quest for a second WTA Finals trophy with an impressive victory over Australian Open champion Madison Keys on Saturday. Swiatek won their round-robin match 6-1, 6-2, showcasing her skill at the season-ending tournament.

The 2023 champion started strong, winning 12 of the first 14 points to take an early 3-0 lead. Keys, playing her first match in 68 days since a first-round exit at the U.S. Open, struggled to find her rhythm on serve.

Swiatek continued to apply pressure, easily taking the opening set after dropping only one game. In the second set, the players exchanged breaks early. However, a double fault from Keys gave Swiatek the edge again. The match concluded in just 61 minutes, with Swiatek winning 58 of 87 points.

“I was in the zone from the beginning to the end, and I really wanted to keep it that way,” said Swiatek after her match.

The WTA Finals features the top eight singles players and doubles teams, with this year’s prize pool reaching a record $15.5 million. The tournament runs through November 8, culminating at King Saud University Sports Arena.

In the second match of the day, Amanda Anisimova faced Elena Rybakina from Kazakhstan, both of whom were looking to begin their campaigns strongly. The matches are critical as the top two players from each group advance to the semifinals.

On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka, the top-ranked player, will begin her title defense against Jasmine Paolini. Unlike previous years, the year-end world No. 1 ranking is not at stake this time, as Sabalenka has already secured her position.