Iga Swiatek overcomes slow start to beat Barbora Krejcikova in WTA Finals opener
Iga Swiatek (23) looked rusty on her return after two months out but the world number two rallied for a 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 win over Barbora Krejcikova (28) to kick-start her WTA Finals title defence in Riyadh on Sunday.
Swiatek lost in the US Open quarter-finals in September and was leapfrogged in the world rankings by Aryna Sabalenka after opting to skip the WTA Tour’s Asian swing due to fatigue.
The Pole, who is looking to reclaim top spot in the Saudi Arabian capital, dropped serve early and was unable to gain a foothold as Wimbledon champion Krejcikova ran away with the first set.
“It wasn’t easy. At the beginning I felt a bit rusty, but I’m happy that I found a way to play a little bit more solid,” Swiatek said.
“I didn’t feel great (at the beginning). Barbora also used that. The score went her way pretty quickly.
“I knew it was tight even in the first set and I had my chances so I just wanted to use them the next time.”
Krejcikova broke twice in the second set after two double faults by an increasingly off colour Swiatek, whose fans at the King Saud University Indoor Arena sensed a big upset and looked to lift the French Open champion.
