Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina delivered comfortable opening round wins at the WTA Finals on day one.
It was Wimbledon champion Swiatek who was up first as she punished Madison Keys in a 6-2 6-1 demolition job.
A dominant display was produced from the Pole against Keys who has been struggling with injury for the majority of the second half of the season.
After the match Swiatek admitted she is happy with the performance but admitted Keys’ rustiness may have played a factor in the contest, “Kind of [happy] with everything,” Swiatek told the WTA website.
“Mostly my serve and overall focus. I was in the zone from the beginning to the end, and I really wanted to keep it that way.
“I’m not in her head — so I can’t really say. But from my experience, yeah, not playing for a longer time can make you a bit rusty.”
Swiatek will now face Elena Rybakina on Monday in the second round-robin match after the Kazakh defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3 6-1.
Rybakina took advantage of the indoor conditions and a late season surge to dominate the contest from start to finish.
It was disappointment from Anisimova who has featured in two Grand Slam finals this season at Wimbledon and the US Open.
Next up for Anisimova will be an all-American battle with Keys in what will be a first meeting between the pair.
