Categories: BeijingTop StoryWTA

Swiatek wipes the slate clean with winning Beijing start

Iga Swiatek brushed aside last week’s demoralising loss in Tokyo with the former No. 1 making a winning Monday start in her career debut in Beijing.

The Pole who stands second on the WTA list overwhelmed 55th-ranked Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-4, 6-3 in the opening round of the 1000-level tournament.

The WTA has returned to China after a boycott began two years ago over the disappearance of former player Peng Shuai caused an international human rights furore.

But the sanctions were apparently ended, perhaps lured by sanction fees paid by a handful of WTA China events to the cash-strapped Tour.

Swiatek next plays adopted Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva; the winner took victory with 27 winners to 25 unforced errors, breaking the Spaniard seven times.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago