Iga Swiatek demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill as she rallied from a set and a double break down to defeat Barbora Krejcikova in her first match of the WTA Finals in Riyadh. This match marked Swiatek’s return to competition after a two-month hiatus following her quarter-final exit to Jessica Pegula at the US Open in September. The prolonged break likely contributed to a shaky start, as the world No 2 was broken in the opening game of each of the first two sets.
In the initial stages, it appeared that Swiatek might be on the brink of an early exit, particularly when she faced a daunting 3-0 deficit in the second set against Wimbledon champion Krejcikova. However, Swiatek showcased her fighting spirit by winning 13 of the next 17 games, ultimately claiming victory with a scoreline of 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Her performance in the deciding set was particularly impressive, as she surged to a commanding 5-0 lead.
Despite Krejcikova’s efforts to mount a comeback by breaking Swiatek’s serve, the Pole quickly regained control and sealed her victory in just over two and a half hours of high-stakes tennis. This match was also significant as it was Swiatek’s first under the guidance of her new coach, Wim Fissette, following her recent split from Tomasz Wiktorowski earlier in the month.
Throughout the match, Swiatek had several opportunities to seize an early advantage, especially in the opening set where she found herself having multiple break points, such as being 0-30 up in the fourth game and even 0-40 in the sixth game. However, she was unable to capitalize on these critical moments initially, adding to the tension of the match as she fought to find her rhythm.
In conjunction with Swiatek’s win, Coco Gauff made headlines by emerging victorious in an all-American clash against Jessica Pegula. Gauff, now a formidable presence on the WTA tour, secured her second victory over Pegula in six meetings, with her previous win coming on grass at Eastbourne earlier in 2023. The match ended with Gauff winning 6-3, 6-2, showcasing her growth and consistency on hard courts.
Pegula, currently ranked as the world No 6, exhibited moments of brilliance, including some stunning winners, but her performance was marred by uncharacteristic errors. A particularly dramatic moment occurred during the second set’s fourth game when she hurled her racket to the ground in frustration. This seemed to spur a brief turnaround as she managed to recover from 0-40 down to break Gauff. However, inconsistency plagued her game as she quickly found herself unable to maintain that momentum, making four successive errors from a promising position of 40-15 in the next game.
Gauff capitalized on Pegula’s struggle, breaking back immediately for a 3-2 lead and then securing the next three consecutive games to close out the match. Her powerful forehand play, particularly on the run, was a highlight of the match and illustrated her capability to execute under pressure.
Reflecting on her performance, the 2023 US Open champion expressed satisfaction but acknowledged the typical ups and downs of the sport: “I am happy with how I played. Sometimes it was sloppy, sometimes it was great, but that’s tennis.” As both players embark on their Orange Group campaigns, their respective victories set an exciting tone for the remainder of the tournament, with eyes keenly watching for further matchups and developments among the world’s top-ranked players.
World of sports 
Leave a comment