RIYADH — The 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh kicked off with a thunderous display of power and precision as world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina delivered commanding straight-sets victories in their opening Bacalar Group matches on a gripping first day at the Kingdom Arena.
Swiatek's Dominant Start in Saudi Debut
Making her highly anticipated debut in Saudi Arabia, Iga Swiatek wasted no time asserting her authority, dismantling the US Open champion and fourth-ranked Coco Gauff with a stunning 6-2, 6-4 victory. The Polish superstar, who arrived in Riyadh on the back of a triumphant China Open title, showcased the formidable form that has seen her reclaim the top ranking, breaking Gauff's serve five times and neutralizing the American's powerful forehand with relentless depth and accuracy.
The match was a stark contrast to their recent encounter in Beijing, where Gauff had pushed Swiatek to three tight sets. This time, Swiatek was in near-flawless control from the baseline, dictating play with her heavy topspin and demonstrating why she is the most dominant force in women's tennis. Reflecting on her performance, Swiatek stated, "I felt really solid and I knew I could play my game. I was focused from the beginning and I'm happy I was so disciplined and solid."
Keys to Swiatek's Victory
Swiatek's game plan was executed to perfection, built on a foundation of relentless pressure. Her performance was characterized by several key factors that Gauff had no answer for:
- Return Dominance: Swiatek applied immediate pressure on Gauff's second serve.
- Forehand Control: She consistently targeted Gauff's forehand wing, forcing errors.
- Clinical Breaks: Converting 5 out of 8 break point opportunities.
- Minimal Errors: Committing just 13 unforced errors throughout the match.
Gauff, who has now lost 10 of her 11 professional meetings with Swiatek, acknowledged the Pole's superior level. "Iga played really well today. She was more aggressive than me and she returned unbelievably. I feel like every second serve I hit, she was on it and attacking. I have to give credit to her," the 20-year-old American conceded in her post-match press conference.
Rybakina Powers Past Krejcikova
In the day's second marquee matchup, Elena Rybakina sent a powerful message to the rest of the field, overpowering 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-3, 6-2. The Kazakhstani player, renowned for her blistering serve and flat groundstrokes, fired 10 aces and won an impressive 88% of her first-serve points, giving the Czech veteran little opportunity to find any rhythm or implement her crafty all-court game.
Rybakina's victory was a masterclass in power tennis, a style perfectly suited to the fast indoor conditions in Riyadh. She broke Krejcikova's serve four times and never faced a break point on her own delivery, a testament to her serving dominance. The match was effectively decided from the baseline, where Rybakina's aggressive positioning and early ball-striking consistently pushed Krejcikova behind the baseline.
"It was a great match, Rybakina said. "I started pretty well, I was focused. I knew it was going to be a tough match against Barbora. I'm happy with the win and happy with the way I played. The conditions are a bit different, it's a new place, but I think I adapted well."
A Serve That Makes the Difference
The statistical breakdown of Rybakina's service game against Krejcikova highlights why she is one of the most feared players on tour when her serve is firing. Her ability to start points on her terms was the fundamental difference in the match:
- First Serve Points Won: 22 out of 25 (88%)
- Aces: 10
- Break Points Faced: 0
- Service Games Won: 8 out of 8 (100%)
For Krejcikova, the loss was a frustrating start to her campaign. "Elena was just playing too good today. I had very few chances and when I did have a small opportunity, she served a big serve. It's difficult to play against someone who is serving so well and hitting so big from the baseline," she explained.
A New Era for the WTA Finals
The 2024 edition marks the inaugural year of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, following a landmark agreement to host the season-ending championship in Saudi Arabia for the next three years. The move has been accompanied by a record-breaking $15.25 million prize money pool, the largest in WTA history, underscoring the event's elevated status and the sport's continued global expansion. The Kingdom Arena, a state-of-the-art temporary venue constructed specifically for the tournament, provided a world-class stage for the opening day's action.
The format sees the world's top eight singles players split into two groups of four: the Bacalar Group and the Chacahoula Group. After a round-robin stage, the top two players from each group will advance to the semifinals. With Swiatek and Rybakina seizing early control of the Bacalar Group, the pressure is now on their next opponents to respond. Swiatek will next face Krejcikova, while Rybakina is set for a blockbuster clash with Gauff.
Looking Ahead in the Bacalar Group
The comprehensive nature of both Swiatek's and Rybakina's victories sends a clear message to the rest of the tournament. Swiatek reinforced her status as the world's best and the player to beat, showing no signs of pressure from the top seeding. Meanwhile, Rybakina demonstrated that the fast conditions are tailor-made for her explosive game, making her a formidable contender for the title. The upcoming match between Rybakina and Gauff now becomes a virtual must-win for the American if she hopes to keep her semifinal hopes alive.
As the tournament progresses, the focus will remain on whether anyone can disrupt the rhythm of these two power players. The opening day in Riyadh was a story of statement wins, setting a high bar for the rest of the week and proving that both Swiatek and Rybakina have arrived in Saudi Arabia with one clear goal: to lift the Billie Jean King Trophy and cap off their seasons in the most spectacular fashion.