Iga Swiatek gives honest reaction after crushing Madison Keys at WTA Finals to join Chris Evert, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova on elite list

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Iga Swiatek kicked off her 2025 WTA Finals campaign on the best note possible, soundly beating Australian Open champion Madison Keys in her opener on Saturday. The No. 2 seed at the tournament, Swiatek won 6-1, 6-2 in just a little over an hour to start her run in Riyadh.

The win over Keys marked Swiatek's 10th win in the Round Robin stages of the WTA Finals, a record that put her level with Chris Evert and Caroline Wozniacki. In WTA history, only two other women have won more than the Pole now -- Maria Sharapova, with 17, and Serena Williams, with 14.

Swiatek's win over Keys was dominant to say the least, with the six-time Grand Slam champion winning more than 66% of the total points in the match and breaking serve five times. Iga Swiatek also won more than 70% of her service points, while also winning more than 60% of points on the return.

Speaking at her on-court interview after the near-perfect win, the World No. 2 was chuffed, stating with complete honesty that she was happy about everything she produced on the night. Swiatek further hoped that she could carry on her form in the next matches and finish the year on a high note.

"Honestly, [I am happiest] about everything. Just all the things I practiced, I got it together today to play with the right balance in terms of being solid and aggressive. So overall I am happy with my performance after the China swing. I will be ready to that [again] in the next days," Swiatek said.

In the other group match of the day, Elena Rybakina beat Amanda Anisimova in straight sets as well, winning 6-3, 6-1 in their first meeting on tour.

Iga Swiatek to take on Elena Rybakina at WTA Finals next

 GettyIga Swiatek at the WTA Finals 2025 - Day 1 - Source: Getty

Following her win over Madison Keys, Iga Swiatek will next take on another Grand Slam champion next at the WTA Finals -- Former Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina. WIth Rybakina also having won her opener against Amanda Anisimova, a win against the Kazakh would likely seal Swiatek's spot in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Keys and Anisimova will face each other in the other fixture of the day, with the loser missing out the chance for qualification. Swiatek is a former winner at the WTA Finals, having won the 2023 edition.

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Edited by Shyam Kamal

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