Iga Swiatek came out firing in her first Round Robin match at the 2025 WTA Finals. The 2023 WTA Finals champion lost just three games in a 6-1, 6-2 straight set affair against Madison Keys who has not played competitive tennis since losing in the first round of the US Open on August 25.
Iga Swiatek clinches her first win of the 2025 WTA Finals ✅ #WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/B9szavd2yP
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 1, 2025
Keys, the 2025 Australian Open champion, is making her second appearance at the WTA Finals, nine years after her first. She is all-smiles and gratitude for the opportunity to be back at the year-end event feeling healthy. That was not the case in 2016.
Swiatek and Gauff are the only players in the final eight that have won the WTA Finals.
Later in the day, there will be another fascinating match between Elena Rybakina and Amanda Anisimova who have not played each other since 2017 in Roland Garros juniors.
Sara Errani And Jasmine Paolini Roll
The Italian French Open champion doubles team of Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini sailed through their first round match against Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs winning 6-3, 6-3.
Getting it done 👏
Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani take a straight sets victory over Muhammad and Schuurs to make a winning start in Riyadh.#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/zDLNhby4OI
— wta (@WTA) November 1, 2025
Despite Sara Errani’s tremendous resume with previous partner Roberta Vinci, she has never won the WTA Finals. It is the one gaping hole left in her multi-decade Hall of Fame playing career.
WTA Finals Match Play Will Silence The Pre-Tournament Frustration
Now that play has begun, the pre-tournament frustration, including a lack of real-time media coverage of the women throughout the week and at the iconic and legendary WTA Finals photo shoot, should simmer down.
In one week, the comparisons may return as the Nitto ATP Finals get underway, and the massive ATP marketing machine will have real-time coverage of the final eight singles players and doubles teams.
Two American men will be in the singles draw: veteran Taylor Fritz, and for the first time ever, Ben Shelton.
It will be a tall order to dethrone the defending champion and hardcourt master Jannik Sinner.
