Gauff beats Pegula at WTA Finals while Swiatek prevails in her first match in two months

Coco Gauff has defeated Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-2 successful a matchup betwixt American players successful nan WTA Finals

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Coco Gauff enjoyed a successful commencement by beating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-2 successful an American matchup astatine nan WTA Finals connected Sunday.

Second-seeded Iga Swiatek rallied to hit Barbora Krejcikova 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 successful her first lucifer successful 2 months.

Gauff converted 5 of her 8 break-point opportunities to triumph her opening lucifer astatine nan year-ending tourney for nan apical 8 classed players.

“I thought we some were playing precocious level,” Gauff said. “I conscionable deliberation I was capable to break done connected nan much important points.”

Gauff will look Swiatek connected Tuesday pinch nan victor taking power of nan Orange Group. Pegula will adjacent look Wimbledon champion Krejcikova.

Swiatek, who arrived astatine nan WTA Finals pinch a caller coach, hadn’t played a lucifer since losing to Pegula successful consecutive sets successful nan U.S. Open quarterfinals successful September.

“Even though I played a batch of those (practice) matches, I benignant of forgot for a while really it is to consciousness each those things, a spot different accent and emotions," Swiatek said. "For sure, I needed immoderate clip to adapt. The astir important point was that moreover though it happened, I managed to conflict done that. And was diligent capable to hold to get better.”

Swiatek rallied from 3-0 down successful nan 2nd group to move it astir against Krejcikova, who has been deed by injuries and had played only 29 matches coming into nan finals. Seven of them were victories astatine Wimbledon.

On Saturday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka eased to a straight-set triumph complete Zheng Qinwen successful nan opening lucifer of nan finals successful Saudi Arabia. Fourth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy hit fifth-seeded Elena Rybakina successful nan different Purple Group match.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis