Elena Rybakina fought from a set down to thrash Iga Swiatek and qualify for the next round of the WTA Finals after Amanda Anisimova eliminated Madison Keys from the tournament.
Rybakina responded from a set down to stun Swiatek in a remarkable comeback, winning 12 of the final 13 games to seal a 3-6 6-1 6-0 win against the World No 2.
Anisimova recovered from an awful start against Keys to keep her hopes alive, while knocking out the Australian Open champion.
Anisimova looked to be in distress after going a set and a break down, but steadied to win 4-6 6-3 6-2 in what was an error-filled contest.
Keys is now out after her second defeat from two matches, while Anisimova will play Swiatek in a rematch of their Wimbledon and US Open meetings to decide who joins Rybakina, who progress as the group winner, in the knockout stages.
Follow live scores and updates from the WTA Finals, below
WTA Finals Live: Latest scores and updates
- WTA Finals continues with day three in Riyadh, live on Sky Sports
- Elena Rybakina thrashes Iga Swiatek in final two sets to win 3-6 6-1 6-0
- Amanda Anisimova recovers to beat Madison Keys, who is now eliminated
- Anisimova and Swiatek to face off on Wednesday in bid to join Rybakina
- Serena Williams Group permutations ahead of second round of matches
Why Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova didn’t shake hands after WTA Finals defeat
18:23 , Jamie BraidwoodMadison Keys signalled that she was feeling ill as she avoided shaking hands with Amanda Anisimova after her defeat to her fellow American at the WTA Finals.
Keys, the Australian Open champion, is now out of the WTA Finals after defeats to Iga Swiatek and Anisimova in her first two matches in Riyadh.
Anisimova and Keys both struggled throughout the match, which was their first meeting. Anisimova was visibly upset as she trailed by a set and a break but recovered to win 4-6 6-3 6-2.
Why Madison Keys and Amanda Anisimova didn’t shake hands after WTA Finals match
Tomorrow at WTA Finals
18:23 , Jamie BraidwoodFrom 12:00pm GMT: (2) Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend vs (3) Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe
Not before 2pm GMT: (3) Coco Gauff vs (8) Jasmine Paolini
Followed by: (1) Aryna Sabalenka vs (5) Jessica Pegula
Followed by: 5) Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider vs (7) Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani
Today at the WTA Finals
18:21 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina produced a storming comeback to beat Iga Swiatek and reach the last four at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.
Kazakhstan's Rybakina lost the first set after a single break in 36 minutes, but turned the match on its head in the second and went on to win 12 of the next 13 games.
World number two Swiatek thrashed Madison Keys 6-1 6-2 in her opening Serena Williams Group round-robin clash, but was twice broken in the second set against Rybakina before being bageled in the decider to lose 6-3 1-6 0-6.
Rybakina, who had lost each of her previous four matches against Swiatek, has now played two and won two in Riyadh following a 6-3 6-1 win over Amanda Anisimova in her tournament opener.
Fourth seed Anisimova bounced back and also recovered from a set down against fellow American Keys to win 4-6 6-3 6-2 in their second round-robin match.
World number six Rybakina next faces Keys, while Swiatek takes on Anisimova in the group's final matches.
Madison Keys eliminated as Elena Rybakina goes through
18:02 , Jamie BraidwoodMadison Keys signals to Amanda Anisimova that she doesn’t want to shake hands because she is feeling ill.
The Australian Open champion is now out of the WTA Finals after two defeats - with her match against Elena Rybakina now a dead-rubber.
Rybakina is through as the group winner, while Anisimova and Iga Swiatek will face off on Wednesday to decide who goes through.
Anisimova and Swiatek, of course, met in two memorable matches, for very different reasons, at Wimbledon and the US Open over the summer.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 6-2 Madison Keys
18:00 , Jamie BraidwoodHaving been in such distress at a set and a break down, Amanda Anisimova completes the comeback to beat Madison Keys and knock her follow American out of the WTA Finals.
That was not pretty. But Anisimova was able to regather herself, having been struggling to keep the ball in play. Keys was also struggling throughout the match, and it was her errors that made the difference in the deciding set.
Even the final game was a struggle, with Anisimova making a double fault and more errors, but she somehow got over the line.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 5-2 Madison Keys
17:53 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys battles through two double faults to force Anisimova to serve it out.
Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 5-1 Madison Keys*
17:49 , Jamie BraidwoodAn ace out wide from Anisimova, who moves a game away. She’s kept her foot down since taking back control and Keys is offering very little resistance.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 4-1 Madison Keys
17:46 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys saves three break points in a row but can’t prevent Anisimova from opening up the double-break lead. A further error from Keys should leave the Australian Open champion with too much to do, barring another remarkable comeback.
Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 3-1 Madison Keys*
17:41 , Jamie BraidwoodErrors from Keys see Anisimova take a 30-0 lead and the American then finds some touch to put the drop shot away. Anisimova finds a good serve down the middle to the game, and is looking much steadier now.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 2-1 Madison Keys
17:37 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys ends the run of games at seven in a row - Anisimova puts the backhand return out of play and Keys gets on the board in the third set, but Anisimova is still in control with the break and improving her level.
BREAK! *Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 1-0 Madison Keys
17:33 , Jamie BraidwoodFrom a set and 1-3 down, Amanda Anisimova has won six games in a row to lead by a break in the decider. Madison Keys has handed her a lot, with the Australian Open champion making consecutive errors from deuce. Her backhand strikes to the top of the net and flies out. Anisimova leads and is definitely playing much better now.
SET! Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-3 Madison Keys*
17:28 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys finds her best shot for a while as she lands a scorching forehand winner crosscourt, but it’s followed by a forehand miss to bring up set point for Anisimova. Keys nets on the backhand return and Anisimova has somehow won that set, despite not being able to make a ball when she was a break down.
BREAK! *Amanda Anisimova 4-6 5-3 Madison Keys
17:24 , Jamie BraidwoodAnisimova finds a crosscourt winner on the forehand and Keys follows it with a double-fault, but Anisimova can’t apply further pressure as she puts the backhand return out of play.
A forehand miss from Keys brings up break point for Anisimova, who guides the forehand winner past Keys! Anisimova will serve for the set to level the match after fighting from a break down.
Amanda Anisimova 4-6 4-3 Madison Keys*
17:19 , Jamie BraidwoodThe Anisimova fightback continues. She is starting to make more balls in court and it’s now Keys who can’t stop the errors.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-6 3-3 Madison Keys
17:16 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys chucks in two double-faults and Anisimova makes a forehand return to bring up break point. Anisimova roars, and the break follows! Keys goes long on the forehand and she is back in this set. It’s not been pretty but Anisimova has got herself back into this...
Amanda Anisimova 4-6 2-3 Madison Keys*
17:11 , Jamie BraidwoodThat’s more like it from Anisimova. She moves in off the serve to put away a volley.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-6 1-3 Madison Keys
17:08 , Jamie BraidwoodAnisimova was able to get through a service game but she is not able to find her returns and a backhand sails well long of the baseline. Anisimova grimaces at how far out it landed.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-6 0-2 Madison Keys
17:02 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys gets through a bit of wobble on her serve to hold - Anisimova found the net on the backhand return, having whacked the bottom of her foot in frustration after an earlier miss.
BREAK! Amanda Anisimova 4-6 0-1 Madison Keys*
16:58 , Jamie BraidwoodAnisimova lets out a shriek at her latest error, which is followed by another forehand miss to bring up two break points for Keys in the first game of the second set.
Anisimova slumps as the backhand finds the net. This is now quite hard to watch.
FIRST SET! *Amanda Anisimova 4-6 Madison Keys
16:54 , Jamie BraidwoodAnisimova puts her backhand return into the net and looks a shadow of the player that reached the US Open final two months ago.
Keys managed to reset well after her own tough start to the match. She closes out the set with an ace, having struggled on serve earlier in the match.
BREAK! Amanda Anisimova 4-5 Madison Keys*
16:49 , Jamie BraidwoodAnisimova sighs as she puts two backhands into the net in a row. A further error brings a golden opportunity for Keys and break point.
Anisimova nets again and Keys breaks to lead, and will have the chance to serve for the set. That might have been Anisimova’s poorest game of the match so far.
*Amanda Anisimova 4-4 Madison Keys
16:47 , Jamie BraidwoodThe serves have settled but the returns are now struggling to find their mark. Just like in the last game, Anisimova misses a couple in succession and Keys makes it 4-4.
Amanda Anisimova 4-3 Madison Keys*
16:42 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys can’t get her return in play and Anisimova gets a fairly straight-forward hold to love.
*Amanda Anisimova 3-3 Madison Keys
16:40 , Jamie BraidwoodKeys holds for the first time too with the ace out wide. It’s been a scrappy start with neither player finding much of a rhythm.
Amanda Anisimova 3-2 Madison Keys*
16:38 , Jamie BraidwoodThat should settle Anisimova’s nerves. She finds an excellent wide serve to move 40-0 up and although it’s followed by a double fault, she gets the first hold of serve as Keys nets on the backhand return.
BREAK! *Amanda Anisimova 2-2 Madison Keys
16:33 , Jamie BraidwoodAnisimova crunches a big forehand return right onto the back of the baseline and brings up another break point on 30-40.
Keys needs to do a lot more on the serve against the Anisimova backhand - the strike crosscourt is wonderfully vicious and the fourth consecutive break follows.
BREAK! Amanda Anisimova 1-2 Madison Keys*
16:28 , Jamie BraidwoodBoth players are looking far more comfortable on the return of serve as they look to get their big strike in play. Keys launches into a forehand crosscourt to bring up break point on 30-40, and then crunches a backhand down the line that Anisimova can’t respond to.
Advantage restored.
BREAK! *Amanda Anisimova 1-1 Madison Keys
16:26 , Jamie BraidwoodBut the break goes straight back to Anisimova as Keys mistimes a forehand and then makes a double-fault to bring up 15-40.
A second double fault in a row hands the break back to Anisimova, as Keys struggles through the reworked service motion.
BREAK! Amanda Anisimova 0-1 Madison Keys*
16:21 , Jamie BraidwoodA sweet early strike from Anisimova off the forehand side as she goes from 0-30 down to 40-30, but Keys then comes out on top in the forehand to forehand duel.
Keys stands up to it, bringing the error from Anisimova into the net. Break point, and Anisimova nets on the forehand again.
WTA Finals: Amanda Anisimova v Madison Keys
16:11 , Jamie BraidwoodRemarkably, this is a first meeting between Amanda Anisimova and Madison Keys, two American players who enjoyed unexpected, comeback seasons to find great success at the grand slam tournaments this season.
Keys, the Australian Open champion from January, is coming back after a couple of months off - Anisimova had a great summer that included finals at Wimbledon and the US Open and was followed by winning the WTA 1000 in Beijing.
Elena Rybakina: 'I stepped in and played better each point'
16:08 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina after beating Iga Swiatek:
“It’s always very tough to play against Iga. She brings so much intensity on the court. I feel like she started, really well and I was a little bit slow. Straight away she broke me, so it was difficult to be down.
“But in the second set I pushed myself.. The serve improved, and I stepped in and played better each point. I’m very happy with the performance.
“I've been playing really well the last few weeks and I'm happy that first of all I was improving in each match and of course the results were following. It's a great opportunity to play here against the top players. Hopefully I can bring the same intensity.”
WTA Finals: Iga Swiatek searching for answers after defeat
16:04 , Jamie BraidwoodAfter beating Madison Keys in her first match, Iga Swiatek can’t be knocked out by today’s results. She could face a play-off with Amanda Anisimova, another big-hitter, on Wednesday. Swiatek just couldn’t find the answers to deal with Rybakina’s power once she hit her level.
Elena Rybakina stuns Iga Swiatek at WTA Finals
15:56 , Jamie BraidwoodAn astonishing turnaround from Rybakina. Swiatek loses from a set up for the first time since her Australian Open semi-final defeat to Iga Swiatek in January, and completely unravelled after Rybakina hit her stride.
Rybakina makes it two wins out two in Riyadh - and seven wins out of her last seven matches. She’s certainly in-form and has to be a contender if she plays like this. Rybakina is now in pole position to advance to the semi-finals and will be through if Anisimova beats Keys next.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Elena Rybakina 3-6 6-1 6-0 Iga Swiatek
15:53 , Jamie BraidwoodA second serve ace from Rybakina. What a scoreline that is. Swiatek is stunned.
Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-5 Elena Rybakina*
15:53 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek is offering no resistance here. Swiatek throws a backhand out of play, against a soft second serve, and Rybakina will have three match points.
Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-5 Elena Rybakina*
15:50 , Jamie BraidwoodEight in a row for Rybakina, with more errors from Swiatek. She has completely unravelled and Rybakina is just a game away from the win.
*Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-4 Elena Rybakina
15:48 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina produces two clean winners with effortlessly powerful strikes off her forehand wing to take her seventh game in a row. Swiatek continues to look flustered and unable to find the same adjustments that were working in the first set.
BREAK! Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-3 Elena Rybakina*
15:43 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s six games in a a row for Rybakina. Another forehand error from Swiatek brings up another break point, and Rybakina’s deep return to the baseline brings another error from the Pole. That’s nine out of the last 10 games.
*Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-2 Elena Rybakina
15:37 , Jamie BraidwoodIt’s all starting to spiral out of control for Swiatek, as Rybakina continues her run of points.
It almost feels as if Swiatek is doubling down and she makes a forehand winner crosscourt.
But a return goes wide and Rybakina is finding her best level of serving of the match. An ace wraps up the hold.
BREAK! Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 0-1 Elena Rybakina*
15:33 , Jamie BraidwoodSome more positive body language from Rybakina as Swiatek nets against the second-serve.
But from 40-15 up, Rybakina lands a big forehand strike for a winner and Swiatek then pushes the forehand long.
Swiatek roars again as she moves towards the net and Rybakina goes long - but Rybakina’s return forces the backhand error.
And Rybakina takes advantage on break point - a solid return gets her into the rally before a crushing forehand crosscourt strike forces the miss from Swiatek!
Just what Rybakina wanted and what Swiatek could not afford.
SECOND SET! *Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-6 Elena Rybakina
15:24 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat a turnaround. Swiatek looked resigned to losing the second set and Rybakina can quite comfortably sweep up - even making a double fault on the first set point.
She was 40-0 up, but Swiatek goes wide on the backhand and Rybakina takes the set.
Can Swiatek stop the alarming number of errors that are now flowing? She made 19 in the second set, and went from winning 90 per cent of her first-serve points to just 50 per cent.
BREAK! Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-5 Elena Rybakina*
15:20 , Jamie BraidwoodA further example of Rybakina able to hit more consistently in the rallies and start to take over with her power as she catches the back of the baseline and Swiatek hits into the net.
Rybakina now has the chance for the double-break and takes it! Swiatek cannot stop the errors and her backhand goes long.
*Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-4 Elena Rybakina
15:14 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina makes a double-fault to bring up 30-30 and Swiatek hangs her head as she is unable to do enough on the next return and force a break point.
Rybakina finds a lovely one-two to take the head, landing the wide serve and putting the forehand winner into the open court.
Iga Swiatek 6-3 1-3 Elena Rybakina*
15:11 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek looks to get herself going again as she lands the forehand winner crosscourt. There is clearly some frustration at losing her serve so early in the second set.
*Iga Swiatek 6-3 0-3 Elena Rybakina
15:06 , Jamie BraidwoodWell there’s been quite a change in mood as Rybakina holds to love and suddenly looks pretty comfortable in this set.
BREAK! Iga Swiatek 6-3 0-2 Elena Rybakina*
15:04 , Jamie BraidwoodA bit of a tricky game for Swiatek gets a whole lot tougher as a double fault brings up 30-40 and break point.
Rybakina adjusts to the return and gets it back in play, and Swiatek misses on the forehand into the net.
Rybakina breaks, in a mirror image of the opening couple of games from the first set.
*Iga Swiatek 6-3 0-1 Elena Rybakina
14:59 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina immediately faces some pressure as she pulls her crosscourt backhand out of play, with Swiatek scrambling.
Rybakina, though, can put away the bounce smash for a clean winner, a tricky shot, and Swiatek then goes long on the forehand.
From 15-30 down, she holds.
FIRST SET! Iga Swiatek 6-3 Elena Rybakina*
14:52 , Jamie BraidwoodSo Swiatek backs up the early break with a brilliant serving performance - 90 per cent of her first-serve points won. Rybakina had 10 winners to Swiatek’s five but Swiatek was able to dictate in her service games.
FIRST SET! Iga Swiatek 6-3 Elena Rybakina*
14:51 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek and Rybakina trade winners on the first couple of points before Swiatek hustles on the baseline and Rybakina nets.
Swiatek takes her time on the second serve and Rybakina goes big on the return, but long! That can’t have been by much.
Two set points for Swiatek. She misses a drive volley on the first, but the serve that has stood up so well today delivers.
She finds the spinny, kicking serve down the middle and Rybakina can’t return on the stretch.
*Iga Swiatek 5-3 Elena Rybakina
14:48 , Jamie BraidwoodSolid from Rybakina, moving Swiatek out of position and steering the backhand winner, then followed by the ace down the middle to hold.
Now can Swiatek serve it out? She’s won all 15 of her points when landing the first serve in play.
Iga Swiatek 5-2 Elena Rybakina*
14:44 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek does face some more pressure this time as Rybakina gets her big strike in play to get to 15-30.
But Rybakina goes just long on the forehand and Swiatek closes the door as she finds the serve down the middle.
*Iga Swiatek 4-2 Elena Rybakina
14:39 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek is having to do all the running but Rybakina finds a way through with a forehand winner placed behind Swiatek. Better from Rybakina, who pumps her fist, but must now ask Swiatek the question on the return.
Iga Swiatek 4-1 Elena Rybakina*
14:35 , Jamie BraidwoodA second consecutive love-hold from Swiatek. Rybakina is really struggling to do anything on the returns, with Swiatek dictating.
*Iga Swiatek 3-1 Elena Rybakina
14:32 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek catches out Rybakina with a dipping backhand into her feet as she approached the net, bringing up two break points.
Rybakina finds a first serve and lets the forehand take over, flashing winners to either side to save.
Rybakina steadies again to find more accuracy on her serve from deuce and that’s a tidy hold from 15-40 down.
Iga Swiatek 3-0 Elena Rybakina*
14:27 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat a great start this has been for Swiatek. She lands an ace to hold to love, having mixed up her serve well in that game.
Break! *Iga Swiatek 2-0 Elena Rybakina
14:24 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek will look to be aggressive when Rybakina leaves anything short and is alert on the returns from the off.
Swiatek blasts a forehand winner and then leaps into the return, making the block, as Rybakina then goes long.
15-40. Swiatek jumps on the return and Rybakina nets - she gets the break after saving break point in the previous game.
Iga Swiatek 1-0 Elena Rybakina*
14:20 , Jamie BraidwoodSwiatek holds. Rybakina netted on the return and then pushed her forehand wide. An encouraging sign for Swiatek that her serve delivered in saving the first break point.
*Iga Swiatek 0-0 Elena Rybakina
14:19 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina blasts a forehand through the court and past Swiatek with an easy swing, then lands another beautiful backhand winner crosscourt that sails out of Swiatek’s reach.
It brings an early break point, but Swiatek saves with an excellent one-two, driving the forehand winner off the serve.
Iga Swiatek v Elena Rybakina
14:09 , Jamie BraidwoodHere we go. Elena Rybakina leads Iga Swiatek out onto court, where the coin toss will be performed by former WTA Finals champion Caroline Garcia.
Swiatek wins the toss and choses to serve.
Will it be a fifth straight win over Rybakina for the Wimbledon champion, or will Rybakina book her place in the semi-finals for the first time?
WTA Finals: Group permutations
14:06 , Jamie BraidwoodIf Swiatek and Keys win: Swiatek advances as group winner, Anisimova eliminated
If Rybakina and Anisimova win: Rybakina advances as group winner, Keys eliminated
If Swiatek wins in straight sets and Anisimova wins in three sets: Swiatek advances in top-two, Keys remains alive
If Rybakina wins in straight sets and Keys wins in three sets: Rybakina advances in top-two, Anisimova remains alive
Up next: Iga Swiatek v Elena Rybakina
14:05 , Jamie BraidwoodIga Swiatek has 62 wins so far in 2025, which is the most on the WTA Tour ahead of Aryna Sabalenka. The 2023 champion is looking to finish her season strong after a golden summer that included her surprise Wimbledon title.
Elena Rybakina has the third-most wins on the WTA Tour this season, with 52, and is coming into form and fitness at just the right time ahead of the WTA Finals. She has yet to advance out of the round-robin, but has the game - as evidenced by her thrashing of Amanda Anisimova on Saturday.
Hsieh and Ostapenko beat Paolini and Errani
13:30 , Jamie BraidwoodTwo devastating backhands in a row from Jelena Ostapenko seals a 6-3 6-4 win for the Latvian and Hsieh Su-Wei, taking apart the top seeds Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani.
That makes it two wins from two for Ostapenko and Hsieh, though they are not through to the semi-finals just yet. But if Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens defeat Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs, they will be.
Paolini and Errani play Kudermetova and Mertens in their third match on Wednesday.
WTA Finals: Amanda Anisimova v Madison Keys
13:20 , Jamie BraidwoodRemarkably, for two Americans, this will be their first meeting, after Anisimova qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time this season by reaching grand slam finals at Wimbledon and the USA Open and winning two WTA 1000 titles in Doha and Beijing.
Keys became the oldest first-time Australian Open champion when she lifted her first grand slam title in January, but the American is making her first appearance at an event since her first-round US Open exit in August.
WTA Finals: Iga Swiatek v Elena Rybakina
13:00 , Jamie BraidwoodIga Swiatek started the year with a losing record against Elena Rybakina, but has beaten her four times this year to now lead the head-to-head 6-4.
Rybakina previously scored big wins over Swiatek at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Rome in 2023, beating her four times when she was ranked as No 1.
However Swiatek has been in control this season, with a win over her at the French Open and on her way to winning the Cincinnati title.
Rybakina has found some form though and is looking to advance past the round-robin stage for the first time. Swiatek won all five matches when she last lifted the title in 2023.
Hsieh and Ostapenko lead Paolini and Errani
12:50 , Jamie BraidwoodHsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko have taken the opening set 6-3 against the top seeds Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani, with Paolini looking a little out of sorts. The Italian duo could have advanced with a straight-sets win but must now come from behind.
Coco Gauff struggles in opening defeat to Jessica Pegula
12:40 , Jamie BraidwoodDefending champion Coco Gauff made 17 double faults and committed 75 unforced errors across her defeat to Jessica Pegula.
Pegula beat the 21-year-old 6-3 6-7(4) 6-2 and it was to Gauff’s credit that she made the match close despite struggling with her serve and forehand.
"Coco's a great champion, great competitor, good friend, so it's always tough playing her... I just tried my best today to execute where I could," Pegula said.
Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani in doubles action
12:20 , Jamie BraidwoodThe top seeds Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani can book their place in the semi-finals with a straight-sets victory over Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko, having opened their tournament with a 6-3 6-3 win over Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs.
Su-Wei and Ostapenko were also victorious in their opening match, requiring a match tiebreak, so can only advance with a win if Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens defeat Muhammad and Schuurs in the later match.
Aryna Sabalenka sweeps aside Jasmine Paolini
12:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka made it five wins in a row over Jasmine Paolini as the top seed made an impressive start to her WTA Finals campaign with a 6-3 6-1 victory on Sunday.
"Doesn't matter the score, I always know I have to stay focused. If you give her an opportunity she will take control of the game," Sabalenka said after the 500th match of her career, and 60th win of her season.
"I was focused, I was calm and it feels like everything was in control."
Paolini is also playing in the doubles event in Riyadh, which means the Italian must play a match every day throughout the round-robin phase.
Elena Rybakina continues winning streak to beat Amanda Anisimova
11:40 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina continued her winning streak to sweep Amanda Anisimova aside in her first match at the WTA Finals.
Rybakina was the last player to qualify for the Finals, which was helped by winning the Ningbo Open and reaching the semi-finals of the Tokyo Open before withdrawing from the event.
She has now won seven matches in a row after needing less than an hour to beat Anisimova 6-3 6-1.
Iga Swiatek beats rusty Madison Keys on opening day of WTA Finals
11:25 , Jamie BraidwoodIga Swiatek required just 61 minutes to beat Madison Keys on Saturday, in what was the American’s first match since the US Open two months ago.
Swiatek won 6-1 6-2 and the World No 2 said afterwards that she was “in the zone” during the straight-sets win.
"Kind of [happy] with everything. Mostly my serve and overall focus,” Swiatek said.
"I was in the zone from the beginning to the end, and I really wanted to keep it that way."
WTA Finals: Group permutations
11:10 , Jamie BraidwoodIf Swiatek and Keys win: Swiatek advances as group winner, Anisimova eliminated
If Rybakina and Anisimova win: Rybakina advances as group winner, Keys eliminated
If Swiatek wins in straight sets and Anisimova wins in three sets: Swiatek advances in top-two, Keys remains alive
If Rybakina wins in straight sets and Keys wins in three sets: Rybakina advances in top-two, Anisimova remains alive
Today's WTA Finals order of play
11:04 , Jamie BraidwoodFrom 12:00pm GMT: (1) Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini v (6) Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko
Not before 2pm GMT: (2) Iga Swiatek v (6) Elena Rybakina
Followed by: (4) Amanda Anisimova v (7) Madison Keys
Followed by: (4) Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens v (8) Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs
Hello and welcome
11:00 , Jamie BraidwoodIga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina will look to back up their opening wins at the WTA Finals on day three of the tournament in Riyadh.
Swiatek swept aside a rusty Madison Keys 6-1 6-2 while Rybakina took down Wimbledon and US Open finalist Amanda Anisimova on Saturday.
Swiatek has defeated Rybakina in all four of their meetings this season, after previously trailing their head-to-head 4-2 at the start of the year.
In the second all-American match of the week, the loser of the match between Anisimova and Keys could face an early elimination from the Finals.
