Elena Rybakina Defeats Iga Swiatek to Lead WTA Finals Group Stage

At the 2025 WTA Finals, Elena Rybakina delivered a stunning comeback victory against second-ranked Iga Swiatek, winning 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 after a strong start by Swiatek. Rybakina's improved serve and aggressive play in the second and third sets overwhelmed Swiatek, who committed 36 unforced errors and lost 11 of the last 12 games. This defeat marked the first time since January that Swiatek lost a match after winning the first set, raising questions about her form and strategy moving forward. Despite the loss, Swiatek remains in contention for the semifinals, needing a win against Amanda Anisimova to strengthen her chances, though a complex tiebreak scenario could still allow her to qualify even with a loss. Rybakina's win has put her in a strong position to advance as the group leader, with her qualification almost secured depending on upcoming match results. Both players’ performances and the match outcome have significant implications for the knockout stages of the tournament.