Swiatek comes out swinging in winning Saudi start

Iga Swiatek shook off the rust after two months without a match as the former No. 1 rallied from a set and a double break down to survive her opening group match at the WTA Finals on Sunday.

The Pole who lost the top ranking last month to Aryna Sabalenka has not appeared on court since losing a US Open quarter-final on September 4.

Since then she ducked off the Tour, sacking her coach and reorganising her support team while apparently trying to clear her head.

The Pole with five Grand Slam titles showed her form as she beat current Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2.

The group match in Riyadh leaves Swiatek with a thin chance of taking back No. 1 status from Sabalenka.

“Obviously we’re both fighting for this spot,” Swiatek said. “It’s been been us basically over the past few years. 

“I obviously want to play my best game here and win this tournament… (doing) everything step by step.”

After dropping the opening set to her Czech opponent, Swiatek only began her fightback as she trailed 3-0 in the second set, taking the double break back and breaking again for 7-5 to square the match.

Swiatek took the victory with three more breaks in the deciding set after more than two and a half hours.

The win for Swiatek was her 10th in post-season play against three defeats.

Main photo:- Iga Swiatek rallies to WTA Finals opening victory in Riyadh – by WTATennis.com