Iga Swiatek battled from a set and a double break down to defeat Barbora Krejcikova 4-6 7-5 6-2 at the WTA Finals.
The Roland Garros champion kicked off the Orange Group with a three set win over the Wimbledon champion.
However the match was far from easy as Swiatek overcome a set and a double break deficit as Krejcikova was dominant in the early stages.
The Czech Republican raced to an early break lead against an erratic Swiatek as the two-time Grand Slam singles champion played with freedom and aggression.
Despite the poor start, Swiatek continued to be persistent on return and the forehand did some deadly damage as she opened up space on the court and created a few break point opportunities.
Surprisingly Swiatek was inefficient in the first set and a half as three break points came and went in the sixth game.
The world number 13 came up with some clutch serving and aggressive play with Krejcikova edging towards the opening set, displaying incredible resilience and mentality.
Former world number one Swiatek was playing her first match under new coach Wim Fissette and although there were some encouraging signs, ultimately the same service jitters remained.
Back-to-back double faults saw Swiatek frustrated as she went a double break down and was heading towards another bad loss.
That deficit did allow Swiatek to play with more freedom with the match seemingly running away from her as Krejcikova got passive.
Four games in a row was sealed from Swiatek as both players produced consistent quality from the baseline.
A big adjustment Swiatek made was her footwork and that was the difference in turning this match around as she broke again to take the second set 7-5 and this match was level at one set all.
Krejcikova’s lack of wins in recent months was telling in the final set as Swiatek stepped up her level in the final set, storming into a 5-0 lead.
Despite the eighth seed gaining one of the breaks back, Swiatek produced a third break of the set to open her WTA Finals campaign with victory.
After the match Swiatek said she felt a bit rusty, “It wasn’t easy. At the start I felt rusty but I’m happy I found a way to play more solid,” Swiatek was quoted by The Tennis Letter as saying.
“I didn’t feel great at the beginning. Barbora used that. The score went her way quickly. I knew it was tight even in the first set. I had my chances. I just wanted to use them next time.”
A much needed win for Swiatek who now takes on the winner of Coco Gauff v Jessica Pegula on Tuesday.
