Swiatek and Rybakina raced through their matches, collectively earning 9.89 million on the opening day.

Following the conclusion of the two marquee matches on the opening day of the Riyadh year-end finals, the results and how things unfolded were nothing like what was anticipated beforehand!

Swiatek’s clash with Keys and Rybakina’s battle against Anisimova, both highly anticipated early contests, were supposed to last close to two hours even if not stretched to three sets, yet they ended with unexpectedly dominant performances.

As the first two players to start the opening matches, public opinion before the match almost unanimously agreed that it would be tough for Keys to beat Swiatek. However, supporters of “Miss Keys” believed that even if their idol couldn’t win, the Polish player wouldn’t have an easy time either—“even if she loses, it would be a valiant effort; there’s no way Swiatek would take the victory effortlessly.”

But judging by Keys’ performance in the first set, fans and viewers in the live chat already called the match outcome a foregone conclusion, doubting the two could produce a thrilling contest like their encounters at the Australian and French Opens this year.

Keys was doubted before the match, even disrespected in betting odds, mainly because since the US Open, the new Australian Open champion had been largely inactive, leading many to suspect she might have suffered an injury. Facing a Swiatek who looked like a killer in her recent form, Keys was naturally at a severe disadvantage.

When Keys only resisted for 23 minutes in the first set before suffering a swift and crushing defeat, many fans and viewers found it hard to believe their eyes—hard courts are Keys’ strength, so how could she lose so badly in just one set?

In fact, Keys’ poor performance in the first set wasn’t because Swiatek suddenly became unbeatable, but rather because the American’s level was extremely weak. With one winner overshadowed by 15 unforced errors, Keys’ condition was clearly poor.

Swiatek is a player with solid skills, so even if Keys had been playing well, victory was not guaranteed, let alone with such a poor showing.

Of course, Swiatek’s 6-1 first set score was also largely due to the Polish player’s excellent form and consistently high-level play in serving and rallies.

It is often said that top players tend to fight back when pushed into a corner, and before the second set started, everyone expected Keys to do just that.

Surprisingly, the American seemed stunned by the Polish player and was unable to recover from the heavy blow suffered in the first set.

For Swiatek, the goal was surely to finish quickly and avoid any unnecessary risks. Maintaining her fiery form from the first set, she crushed her opponent 6-2 in the second set, sealing the match in just 60 minutes and securing a strong start at the year-end finals group stage.

After the match, many praised Swiatek’s rapid victory, with some even saying it would be hard for any other player to beat this 60-minute finishing time.

However, Rybakina who followed quickly broke the Polish player’s record for the fastest win!

Before her match against American Anisimova, Rybakina was not favored to win.

Although the Kazakh beauty had rebounded strongly towards the end of the Asian season, Anisimova’s recent title at the China Open showed her in formidable form. Plus, with more rest time than Rybakina, who was clearly at a physical disadvantage, the American was seen as the favorite.

It was expected that Rybakina might be swept aside by Anisimova, but surprisingly, the Kazakh player resisted the American’s attacks early on and quickly took control, winning the first set 6-3 and putting all the pressure on Anisimova.

Anisimova’s form in the second set seemed affected by what happened to Keys, struggling from the start. Rybakina seized the opportunity, unleashed relentless firepower, and decisively defeated this year’s dual runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open with a 6-1 second set to close out the match.

When the match ended after just 57 minutes, fans and viewers remarked that while Swiatek’s 60-minute victory already felt fast, Rybakina’s even quicker finish showed her eagerness to leave early, astonishing everyone by beating the Polish player’s time.

After both Swiatek and Rybakina smoothly passed their first group round, they collectively earned $1.39 million in appearance fees and prize money, which converts to over 9.89 million RMB—this earning speed and ability amazed fans and viewers alike!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Moon River’s Starry Sky)