Madison Keys says there’s three areas of Iga Swiatek’s game which have really improved recently, ‘I can tell’

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Iga Swiatek wasted no time getting her first win on the board at this year’s WTA Finals.

In just over an hour, Swiatek dominated Madison Keys in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to open her account in the Serena Williams group, which also consists of Amanda Anisimova and Elena Rybakina.

The Pole has enjoyed a successful second half of the season, having added two more titles to her name since triumphing at Wimbledon.

Swiatek hoisted tour-level trophies at the Cincinnati Open as well as the Korea Open, and now she is seeking to clinch her fourth crown of 2025 at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

She got off to the perfect start in her pursuit against Keys, who said the six-time major champion’s game has improved a lot recently.

Madison Keys discusses Iga Swiatek’s game after losing to her

In an interview with ‘The National‘, the American said: “I think her serve has definitely got better, as far as speed goes.

“She’s also got a little bit better with her placement, especially on her second serve. I can tell that there’s been some speed added to it.”

Swiatek tallied a first-serve win percentage of 83% against Keys, and conceded just one break point.

Keys added: “She’s taking initiative a little bit quicker. I think sometimes in the past she kind of relied on being able to move really well and make a lot of balls.

“But it seems like she’s doing a really good job of obviously not moving away from that because she’s a fantastic mover, but being a little bit more aggressive and being willing to go for things a little bit quicker.”

Iga Swiatek ended a three-year drought against Madison Keys

Swiatek’s win against Keys saw her take a commanding 6-2 lead in their head-to-head, having now emerged victorious in their last two matches.

After losing to the eventual Australian Open champion in the Melbourne semifinals, she beat her on the clay courts of Madrid in late April.

• 2025 Australian Open semifinals: Keys beats Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6
• 2025 Madrid Open quarterfinals: Swiatek beats Keys 0-6, 6-3, 6-2

The 24-year-old’s victory in Riyadh was also her first on hard court over Keys since the 2022 WTA season.

Four of Swiatek’s wins against Keys have come on clay, though she did overcome the US star on hard court that year at Indian Wells.