Tennis

Defending WTA Finals champion Iga Swiatek made a triumphant return to the court after a two-month hiatus, overcoming a slow start to defeat Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the opening match of the Orange Group in Riyadh.Swiatek, who had not played since September due to a shoulder injury, initially struggled against Krejcikova, committing 19 unforced errors in the first set. However, she rallied back, winning 13 of the last 17 games as Krejcikova's physical condition deteriorated.Krejcikova, who had beaten Swiatek in their last two meetings, had also been hampered by injuries and illness in 2024. Despite qualifying for the WTA Finals through a new rule that grants Grand Slam winners a place in the field, she was unable to maintain her form against Swiatek.Swiatek's victory extends her unbeaten streak at the WTA Finals to six matches. She will now face Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula in the Orange Group, with the top two finishers advancing to the semifinals.Swiatek's performance was particularly impressive given her recent break from competition. She credited her high-level practices with Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen for helping her regain her form.Krejcikova, on the other hand, struggled with her movement late in the match. She held serve down 5-0 and broke Swiatek once more before eventually succumbing.The win sets the stage for an exciting Orange Group, with Swiatek, Gauff, and Pegula all vying for a place in the semifinals.

Soccer legend Neymar graced the WTA Finals in Riyadh, performing the ceremonial coin toss before the singles match between Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina. The Brazilian star, now playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League, has been an avid tennis spectator lately, supporting Carlos Alcaraz at the Six Kings Slam exhibition.Neymar's presence at the WTA Finals drew cheers from the crowd, with chair umpire Zhang Juan introducing him with a humorous quip. The Chinese official also explained Neymar's role in the pre-match pleasantries, which included meeting players Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen.Sabalenka, who defeated Zheng in their match, received an autographed shirt from Neymar. Zheng's pre-match routine was briefly interrupted when her coaches were star-struck by the soccer icon."My team, all of my team, they had a picture with him," Zheng said. "I was there with my fitness coach, doing some fitness, and I was there with my exercise like this, and I see, 'Where is my team?' Ah, OK, they're having pictures with Neymar! What I can say?"Zheng acknowledged Neymar's incredible soccer skills but admitted that her team was more interested in meeting him than watching her fitness routine.With seven days of play remaining at the WTA Finals, the appearance of other famous faces is highly anticipated.

Jasmine Paolini's WTA Finals debut was a resounding success as she overcame Elena Rybakina in a thrilling 7-6 (5), 6-4 encounter. The Italian's victory marked a historic moment for her country, making her the first Italian to compete and win a match at the WTA Finals since Flavia Pennetta in 2015.Paolini's triumph is a testament to her remarkable season, which has seen her amass 40 wins. Notably, nearly half of these victories (19) have come at the year's five most prestigious events. She reached the finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while advancing to the fourth round at the Australian Open and US Open.Beyond her Grand Slam success, Paolini has also excelled at WTA 1000 tournaments, claiming 14 wins this year. Her crowning achievement was capturing the title in Dubai, the biggest triumph of her career. In total, 33 of her 40 wins have come at the WTA 1000 level or higher.Paolini's rise to prominence is a testament to her unwavering determination and exceptional talent. Her ability to perform consistently at the highest level has propelled her into the ranks of the world's elite players. As she continues to compete at the WTA Finals, Paolini has the potential to make even more history and inspire future generations of Italian tennis players.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has kicked off her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zheng Qinwen. The Belarusian star is aiming to secure both the year-end title and the No. 1 ranking, and her performance against Zheng was a testament to her determination.Sabalenka's serve proved to be a key factor in her victory. She won an impressive 94% of points on her first serve and committed only one double fault. This allowed her to put Zheng under constant pressure and prevent her from gaining any momentum.The first set was a tight affair, with both players holding serve until the sixth game. Sabalenka finally broke through with a double fault from Zheng, giving her a 4-2 lead. She held her serve in the next game to take the set 6-3.The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither player able to break serve until the ninth game. Sabalenka once again seized the opportunity, breaking Zheng's serve with a powerful backhand return. She then held her serve to close out the match 6-4.Sabalenka praised her serve after the match, saying, "I'm super happy with the win. I think I served really well tonight, and I put her under so much pressure."Zheng, who has been in excellent form this season, was unable to match Sabalenka's consistency. However, she showed glimpses of her potential, particularly with her aggressive groundstrokes.Sabalenka's victory puts her in a strong position to qualify for the semifinals of the WTA Finals. She will face Maria Sakkari in her next match, while Zheng will take on Caroline Garcia.

Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning US Open champion, has made Miami her home away from home. After her triumph at Flushing Meadows, Sabalenka cut short her trip to Fashion Week to celebrate her boyfriend's birthday in Florida."We went home to spend time there and just recharge," said Sabalenka, who has been dating Georgios Frangulis, the founder and CEO of Oakberry acai bowls smoothies.Sabalenka, who hails from Minsk, Belarus, has found solace in Miami, where she trains and plans to spend her vacation after the WTA Finals in Riyadh."I have a lot of plans, but I'm going to probably stay in Florida," Sabalenka said. "It would be cool to feel the home atmosphere and just at home."Miami has become a sanctuary for Sabalenka, especially after she was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury."I was like, 'I'm in Miami!'" she said. "It's beautiful with a lot of stuff to do, a lot of good restaurants. I decided to just enjoy and take everything I can out of this difficult situation."Since recovering from her injury, Sabalenka has been on a tear, winning in Cincinnati, the US Open, and Wuhan to reclaim the world No. 1 ranking."Miami is so chill, so relaxed," Sabalenka said. "Everyone is enjoying life. They're not in a rush. They call it a place for retirement, and it's so chill. But at the same time, the nightlife in Miami is so cool."For those planning a winter getaway, Sabalenka recommends Casadonna, a popular pizza restaurant in Miami."Miami pizza is incredible," she said. "There's so many good restaurants, beaches, nightclubs. It's a cool place to relax, have fun and have good meals!"

The WTA Finals, the season-ending tournament for the top eight women's tennis players, is not just about the title. This year, the year-end No. 1 ranking is also on the line, with Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek vying for the top spot.Sabalenka holds a 1,046-point advantage over Swiatek, but the Pole has a chance to overtake her in Riyadh. The WTA Finals offers up to 1,500 points for an undefeated champion, which is more than enough for Swiatek to close the gap.Swiatek can clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking if she wins the title undefeated, or if she wins the title with a 2-1 or 1-2 round-robin record, provided Sabalenka's results are limited.Sabalenka, on the other hand, can secure the top spot by winning all three of her round-robin matches, or by winning two round-robin matches and reaching the final, or even by winning one round-robin match and reaching the final.The scenario is reminiscent of last year's WTA Finals, where Swiatek pulled off a similar feat, winning the title undefeated while Sabalenka went 2-1 in the round robin and lost in the semifinals.If Swiatek finishes as year-end No. 1, she will become the first woman to achieve the feat for three consecutive years since Ashleigh Barty did so from 2019 to 2021.

The WTA Finals, the season-ending championship for the top eight women's tennis players, will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from October 20-27. The tournament offers a maximum of 1,500 ranking points for an undefeated champion, with players earning 200 points for each round-robin match win, 400 points for a semifinal win, and 500 points for winning the final.The prize money for the WTA Finals is substantial, with the champion earning between $4,455,000 and $5,155,000 depending on results. Players earn $350,000 for each round-robin match win, $1,270,000 for a semifinal win, and $2,500,000 for winning the final. Each player is also guaranteed $335,000 for their participation.The tournament will be played on a hard court surface, and the draw consists of eight singles players and eight doubles teams. Notable players participating include Australian Open and US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, Roland Garros champion Iga Swiatek, Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, and Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.The WTA Finals are a prestigious event that showcases the best women's tennis players in the world. The tournament provides a glimpse into the season that has passed, as the players who have earned the highest number of ranking points throughout the year qualify for the event.

WTA Finals: Stars Shine in Riyadh with Stunning FashionThe WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has kicked off with a dazzling display of fashion and athleticism. The world's top tennis players gathered for the traditional pre-tournament photo shoot and gala, showcasing their impeccable style and the latest trends.World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, defending champion Iga Swiatek, and the rest of the season-ending championship competitors stepped out in the historic district of Diriyah, adorned in garments from renowned designers.Zheng Qinwen turned heads in a vibrant red Christian Dior dress, while Coco Gauff opted for a delicate blush pink gown by Saudi-born designer Yousef Akbar. Elena Rybakina exuded elegance in Elie Saab, and Jasmine Paolini chose a sophisticated sand-colored gown by Brunello Cucinelli.Rybakina praised her fellow players' fashion choices, particularly Paolini's stunning ensemble. "Jasmine Paolini looked really good sitting by that chair," she remarked.The players' preparation for the photo shoot was a glamorous affair. Makeup artists and hairstylists worked their magic, transforming the athletes into fashion icons.The action on the court begins on Saturday, with Sabalenka facing Zheng and Rybakina taking on Paolini in singles action. In doubles, Siniakova and Townsend will face US Open winners Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko, while Hsieh Su-wei and Elise Mertens take on Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Ellen Perez.The WTA Finals in Riyadh promises to be a thrilling spectacle, both on and off the court. The players' stunning fashion choices have set the stage for an unforgettable event that celebrates the intersection of sports and style.

Aryna Sabalenka, the former and future world No. 1, is embracing her newfound fame and multitasking with ease. Despite her absence from the Wuhan Open for five years, she remains a fan favorite, signing autographs and interacting with fans.Sabalenka's popularity extends beyond tennis, with her viral dance videos and celebrity encounters. She aspires to launch her own fashion line, inspired by her love for style and her iconic tiger tattoo.Despite her success, Sabalenka has faced adversity, including the loss of her father and ex-partner. However, she has emerged stronger, using these challenges as motivation.On the court, Sabalenka is transforming into a complete player, working with a biomechanic coach to improve her technique. Her powerful groundstrokes and newfound consistency have made her a formidable opponent.Off the court, Sabalenka's charisma and self-deprecating humor have won over her peers. She has formed friendships with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, who appreciate her empathy and infectious personality.As she prepares for the WTA Finals, Sabalenka is focused on handling the pressure and finishing the year as world No. 1. Her unwavering belief in her abilities and her ability to overcome challenges make her a formidable contender.