RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Iga Swiatek defeated Madison Keys in straight sets in a clash of Grand Slam winners on the first day of the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday.
The Wimbledon champion took just over an hour to defeat Australian Open champion Keys 6-1, 6-2 in the final tournament of the season featuring the world’s top eight players.
“I was in the zone from start to finish, and I really wanted to stay that way,” said Swiatek, who scored 58 of 87 points.
It was Keys’ first match in 68 days since losing in the first round at the US Open. Swiatek admitted that such a long absence “could make him a bit rusty”.
Keys, who plays in the Serena Williams group, may need to defeat Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina to advance.
Rybakina defeated Anisimova 6-3. Saturday 6-1.
