RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Elena Rybakina qualified for the semifinals of the WTA Finals for the first time after beating Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 on Monday.
That result and Amanda Anisimova’s victory over Madison Keys in the Americans’ first professional match ensured that Swiatek and Anisimova will play for a spot in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Swiatek defeated Anisimova in the Wimbledon final 6–0, 6–0, but Anisimova ousted Swiatek in the quarterfinals of the US Open 6–4, 6–3.
Australian Open champion Keys, with an 0-2 record, was left out of contention.
Rybakina, ranked No. 6, made it to the round-robin for the first time in her third WTA Finals. She extended her good form from Asia, having won eight consecutive matches and 10 of her last 11.
But after losing her previous four matches against No. 2 Swiatek, Rybakina began to become overwhelmed and Swiatek took the first set with just one break.
Then Rybakina joined in, served better, and Swiatek unraveled. The Pole, with her own serve slipping, made six unforced errors in the first set but 36 in the last two.
No. 4 Anisimova broke No. 7 Keys six times in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
Keys had the upper hand in a shaky first set for both and got the early advantage in the second set, but Anisimova won the last four games of the second set and the final six games of the match.
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