Unbeaten in opening matches, Swiatek’s dominance defines WTA Finals consistency
For four years, Iga Swiatek has turned every first-round match into a statement of intent. The Polish powerhouse remains unbeaten in opening encounters at WTA events, spanning 69 tournaments, since her loss to Maria Sakkari at the 2021 WTA Finals in Guadalajara. That remarkable streak now includes the United Cup and WTA Finals, underscoring her unmatched consistency and mental steel. On Saturday, the reigning Wimbledon champion breezed past Australian Open winner Madison Keys 6-1, 6-2 in just 61 minutes, beginning her title defense in trademark fashion.
Swiatek’s victory over Keys, who was playing her first match since an early US Open exit in August, was a reminder of how quickly the world No. 1 can dismantle opponents when she finds rhythm. After a clumsy start from Keys, the result was never in doubt. The 2023 WTA Finals winner looked locked in from the first game, dictating rallies with early aggression and precision that has defined her 2025 season.
Next, Swiatek faces Elena Rybakina in what could be the group’s defining clash. Having already defeated the Kazakh four times this year, the 24-year-old enters as the clear favorite. If she wins again on Monday, and Madison Keys later beats Amanda Anisimova, Swiatek would secure a semifinal berth with a match to spare. Even in a more complex scenario, where Anisimova wins in three sets, the Pole could still qualify by beating the American later in straight sets.
Her dominance extends beyond the WTA Finals. Swiatek also made history at the China Open, becoming the first player since the tournament’s 2004 inception to win all eight of her Women’s Singles matches there. Each milestone reinforces her transformation from prodigy to unshakable force.
With her blend of composure and tactical precision, Swiatek’s opening-match streak has become a record, for now at least. If her form holds, a second WTA Finals crown may be less of a chase and more of an inevitability.
Mandatory Image Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
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