Iga Świątek opens WTA Finals campaign with dominant win over Madison Keys in Riyadh
RIYADH, November 1 – World No. 2 Iga Swiatek began her WTA Finals title bid in emphatic fashion, defeating Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-1, 6-2 in her opening round-robin match on Saturday.
The 2023 WTA Finals champion delivered a commanding performance at the King Saud University Sports Arena, taking control early and never looking back. Swiatek won 12 of the first 14 points to surge ahead 3-0 as Keys, appearing in her first tournament since a shock first-round U.S. Open exit in August, struggled to find her rhythm.
Swiatek’s consistency and precision left Keys with few answers, as the Polish star dropped just one game in the opening set. Although the American briefly rallied with an early break in the second, a costly double fault handed momentum back to Swiatek, who closed out the match in 61 minutes.
The WTA Finals features the world’s top eight singles players and doubles teams, with a record $15.5 million prize pool and 1,500 ranking points up for grabs. The season-ending event concludes on November 8.
Later on Saturday, the Serena Williams Group continues with Amanda Anisimova, this year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open runner-up, facing Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, a former Wimbledon champion.
On Sunday, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka will open her campaign in the Steffi Graf Group against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, followed by defending champion Coco Gauff taking on fellow American Jessica Pegula.
While the WTA Finals promises high-stakes competition, the year-end No. 1 ranking is already secured: Sabalenka’s 1,675-point lead ensures she will finish the 2025 season atop the standings, regardless of results in Riyadh.
