Iga Swiatek (2 WTA) made her debut at the 2024 Champions Tournament by defeating the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (13 WTA) in the first match, on Sunday evening, in three sets, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, after a spectacular comeback, from 0-1 in the sets and 0-3 in the second set.
Iga Swaitek, debut with the right to the Tournament of Champions. Photo Getty images
The Pole prevailed after a game of two and a half hours, in which she managed no less than ten aces, committing 5 double faults, the Czech having three aces and making 6 double faults. Iga Swiatek is trying in the last hundred meters to recover his world number 1, lost to the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. The final act of the fight for the top spot in the WTA ranking goes to the Tournament of Champions, hosted for the first time by Saudi Arabia.
The Tournament of Champions, the biggest jackpot in history
The WTA Finals also has an important financial stake. The winner from Riyadh will collect the biggest jackpot in the history of this event: between 4.46 and 5.16 million dollars, depending on its course. The previous record was held by Australian Ashleigh Barty, awarded $4.42 million for her victory in Shenzhen (China) in 2019.
Also in group B, on Sunday evening Coco Gauff (3rd WTA) passed without emotions her compatriot Jessica Pegula (6th WTA), with the score of 6-3, 6-2.
Monday’s schedule from the Tournament of Champions
Elena Rybakina – Qinwen Zheng (2:30 p.m.)
Aryna Sabalenka – Jasmine Paolini (17.00)
