Iga Swiatek Starts WTA Finals Strong with Comeback Victory

Iga Swiatek kicked off her quest to reclaim the world number one ranking with a dramatic comeback victory over Barbora Krejcikova in the WTA Finals group stage. After falling behind a set and facing a double break, Swiatek rallied to win 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. This match marked the 23-year-old’s first appearance since her quarter-final exit at the US Open in September and her debut under new coach Wim Fissette.

“At the beginning, I felt a bit rusty, but I’m happy that I found a way to play a bit more solid,” Swiatek reflected. She and Aryna Sabalenka are vying to finish the year as the top-ranked player. Swiatek must win the title to overtake Sabalenka, who needs to win all her round-robin matches or reach the final. Sabalenka started her campaign with a win over Zheng Qinwen on Saturday.

In another match, Coco Gauff defeated fellow American Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-2. The tournament held in Saudi Arabia for the first time has faced criticism due to the country’s human rights record. After withdrawing from tournaments in China for personal reasons and parting ways with her coach of three years, Swiatek arrived in Riyadh early to acclimate to the courts.

Although she struggled at the start, making several unforced errors, she regained her composure to level the match at 3-3 in the second set. Iga Swiatek seized control in the final set leading Krejcikova 5-0 before closing out the match in two hours and 35 minutes. Meanwhile, Gauff, who had a disappointing US Open, bounced back with a strong performance against Pegula.

Despite a few struggles with her forehand, Gauff maintained solid play to secure her victory, noting, “Sometimes it was sloppy, sometimes it was great—but that’s tennis.”