SWIATEK GETS EXTRA BOOST FROM CROWD

World No. 2 swats aside Kasatkina 6-1, 6-0 in just 51 minutes at WTA Finals in Riyadh

RIYADH - Poland's world No. 2 Iga Swiatek, being a five-time Grand Slam champion, has the experience to go into every match knowing that she has to do her best, even if a victory does not guarantee her progress.

That was the situation on Nov 7, as she battled against Russia's Daria Kasatkina in the WTA Finals group stage.

The Pole did not let the permutations cloud her mind, and she displayed such intensity that she won 6-1, 6-0 in just 51 minutes.

It was the fastest match at this edition of the season-ending tournament.

Swiatek got the Riyadh crowd cheering for her, and even during her post-match interview, they were shouting "Iga, Iga!"

"As usual, thank you guys for the support. It means a lot. You guys give me extra energy to compete. Thank you for being with me," said the 23-year-old.

She won an impressive 51 of 74 points and broke Kasatkina's serve five times. In the end, it was not enough for a semi-final spot after Barbora Krejcikova defeated Coco Gauff 7-5, 6-4 in the later match.

Krejcikova will meet Zheng Qinwen in the last four, with Gauff taking on Aryna Sabalenka.