Iga Swiatek cruised past Daria Kasatkina 6-1 6-0 in 51 minutes in the fastest match of the year in at least eight years at the WTA Finals in Ryadh.
Swiatek broke Kasatkina’s first service game in the opening set. The Polish player won 28 of 35 points to race out to a 5-0 lead before Kasatkina won the first game. Swiatek converted her second set point with an ace after 25 minutes. The four-time Grand Slam champion broke three times to take a bagel win in the second set.
Kasatkina replaced Jessica Pegula, who pulled out of the last group match with an injured left knee. If Coco Gauff beats Barbora Krejcikova, Swiatek advances to the semifinals. If Krejcikova wins this match, she gets through to the knock-out stage.
Swiatek could become the youngest player to reach the knock-out stage for three editions in a row at the WTA Finals since Maria Sharapova, who reach four consecutive semifinals between 2004 and 2007. In her previous round robin matches Swiatek came back from one set and two breaks down to beat Krejcikova 4-6 7-5 6-2 before losing to Coco Gauff 6-3 6-4.
