Post by : Raina
Al-Fahim
Elena Rybakina recovered from a first-set deficit to beat world No. 2 Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 in Riyadh, advancing to the WTA Finals semi-finals with a commanding turnaround and claiming her first win over Swiatek in their last five encounters.
Swiatek started briskly, winning the opening three games and taking the first set 6-3 as Rybakina struggled to find consistency on her backhand returns. The match shifted in the second set when the Wimbledon champion settled into a stronger rhythm and Swiatek began to make more errors.
The Polish star, a six-time Grand Slam winner, accumulated 36 unforced errors across the final two sets compared with Rybakina's 17. Rybakina broke early in set two with a clean forehand winner, moved 3-0 ahead and closed that set 6-1 with an ace.
Rybakina sustained the pressure in the decider, delivering near-flawless tennis while Swiatek’s frustration showed. The 25-year-old Kazakh sealed the match with a 6-0 final set, finishing in just under two hours.
"Being a set down was tough, but I kept pushing, my serve got better and I focused on every point," Rybakina said after the win.
The victory was Rybakina's second straight in the group stage after her earlier win over Amanda Anisimova on Saturday, securing her place in the semi-finals.
Earlier on the day, Amanda Anisimova came from a set behind to beat fellow American Madison Keys 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.
Keys captured the opening set 6-4 with powerful serving, but inconsistency and 12 double faults — significantly more than Anisimova — undermined her challenge and allowed her opponent to seize control.
Anisimova switched to aggressive baseline tactics and used sharp cross-court angles to dominate the final set in just 34 minutes, recording her first victory at the Finals.
"It was a tough match and I’m glad I managed to turn it around," Anisimova said after the win.
Rybakina will face Madison Keys in her final round-robin fixture, while Swiatek meets Anisimova in a match that will determine further group standings.
In the other group, top seed Aryna Sabalenka — who opened with a victory over Jasmine Paolini — is scheduled to play Jessica Pegula on Tuesday. Pegula arrives with momentum after defeating Coco Gauff in her first match.
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