Elena Rybakina qualified for the WTA Finals semi-finals after defeating an error-prone Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 on Monday, while Amanda Anisimova claimed a hard-fought win over Madison Keys 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 in Riyadh.
World number two Swiatek committed 36 unforced errors in the last two sets, compared to Rybakina’s 17. The Kazakh player secured her first victory over the six-time Grand Slam champion in their last five meetings.
Rybakina, who also beat Anisimova on Saturday, advanced to the semi-finals after recording her second consecutive win in the tournament.
Swiatek started dominantly, winning the first three games and targeting Rybakina’s body with her serves. The sixth seed’s backhand returns initially faltered, allowing Swiatek to claim the opening set 6-3.
However, momentum shifted when Swiatek’s double fault and an unforced error handed Rybakina an early break in the second set. The Kazakh held serve with an ace to go 3-0 up, and capitalized on Swiatek’s mounting mistakes to seal the set 6-1.
The third set saw Swiatek struggle further, making 17 additional unforced errors, as Rybakina cruised through with a dominant 6-0 “bagel” finish.
In the other match, Anisimova bounced back from a first-set loss to overcome compatriot Keys. The American fourth seed took advantage of Keys’ 12 double faults and multiple unforced errors to secure her first win in the WTA Finals.
Anisimova fought back from a 0-2 deficit in the second set, breaking Keys twice to level at 3-3 before taking five straight games. Keys appeared fatigued in the decider as Anisimova’s cross-court shots and consistent forehands sealed the victory in just 34 minutes.
Rybakina will face Keys in her final round-robin match, while Swiatek, who previously beat Keys, takes on Anisimova.
(Source: Reuters)
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