Can Iga Swiatek reclaim the World No.1 spot from Aryna Sabalenka at WTA Finals?
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are set to stage a charged tussle for the year-end World No.1 title at the WTA Finals. Iga Swiatek finally returned to the court in Riyadh after missing the entire WTA schedule in Asia. The absence cost her the World No.1 position as Aryna Sabalenka moved ahead in the race. Sabalenka and Swiatek had a commendable run in the ongoing WTA Tour. The Belarusian has picked up 4 titles this season, including two Grand Slams. Swiatek, on the other hand, has claimed 5 titles on the tour despite missing the China Open and the Wuhan Open. However, a late reshuffle in the WTA points caused Swiatek to fall to the second spot, with Sabalenka climbing to the top after her win at the Wuhan Open.
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek fight for the year-end World No. 1 title in the WTA Finals
Now, both Sabalenka and Swiatek are set for a battle to claim the year-end World No.1 title at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. Iga Swiatek made a staggering comeback as she took the court in Riyadh to commence her WTA Finals campaign. The Polish star opened her campaign against reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova of Czechia. Playing her first match since her defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open quarter-final in September, Swiatek had a somewhat rusty start in the WTA Finals clash. However, the 5-time Grand Slam winner rallied back from a 4-6, 0-3 deficit to win the match in Riyadh. The battle for the opening victory lasted two hours and 33 minutes, with Swiatek scoring 10 aces. Ultimately, the match tilted in favor of the Polish star as Swiatek claimed the final sets 7-5, 6-2.
"For sure it wasn't easy," Swiatek expressed after the victory. "At the beginning, I felt a bit rusty, but I'm happy I found a way to play a little bit more solid. I tried to do the usual stuff that I do to control the ball a bit more because it was flying like crazy off my racket. I knew I had this game in me; I just needed to find it. It was hard to be patient with that, but in the end, I'm glad I just kept it going and didn't think what the score was,” she concluded.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka faced Qinwen Zheng once again in the tour as she commenced her WTA Finals run. Fresh off her title victory at the Wuhan Open over Zheng, Sabalenka maintained her flawless record against the Chinese player. The Belarusian secured an early edge in the face-off, breaking serve in the sixth game of the opening set. While Zheng lost the first set 6-3, the Olympic champion mounted an impressive challenge in the subsequent set. Zheng managed to gain a lead over the top-ranked Belarusian four times in the second set. However, Sabalenka, despite a double fault, clinched the ultimate victory on her serve. With her 6-3, 6-4 win in Riyadh, Sabalenka recorded her fourth victory over Zheng in the ongoing tour, following her wins in Melbourne and Wuhan.
Headlining the WTA event in Riyadh, Aryna Sabalenka met Iga Swiatek for a practice match ahead of the main event. The duo, who have held the World No.1 ranking between them since April 2022, are at the center of the spotlight. Sabalenka started the season by defending her Australian Open title against Zheng. The Belarusian then went on to claim title victories in Cincinnati, another Grand Slam on the tour in New York, and the Wuhan Open. Swiatek experienced similar success in the season, winning 5 titles, including Roland Garros. However, the Polish star took a break from the Asian swing following her quarter-final defeat at the US Open. While Swiatek sorted out her coaching staff during the hiatus, Sabalenka continued amassing points. Furthermore, a late reshuffle in the WTA rankings pushed Aryna Sabalenka ahead of Swiatek in the standings.
Now, Sabalenka needs at least three wins in the round-robin stage or an entry to the final match of the WTA Finals to secure her World No.1 spot. Swiatek, on the other hand, must defend her WTA Finals title to reclaim the No.1 ranking. Interestingly, Sabalenka was in a similar position last year, needing to surpass Iga Swiatek in the WTA Finals to clinch the year-end No.1 title. However, the Polish champion came out on top, claiming victory in Cancun. Now, Sabalenka is set to face Jasmine Paolini in her next clash in Riyadh, while Swiatek will work to fend off Coco Gauff.
