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Svitolina Stuns Swiatek to Reach Third Italian Open Final in Rome Thriller

Two-time champion Elina Svitolina defeated Iga Swiatek 6-2,4-6,6-2 in the Italian Open semifinals. She advances to the final for the third time, facing Coco Gauff. Svitolina saved 11 of 16 break points in the match. The final marks the biggest age gap in a Rome final since 1990.

Key Points: Svitolina Beats Swiatek, Reaches Italian Open Final

  • Svitolina beats Swiatek in three sets
  • Advances to third Italian Open final
  • Will face Coco Gauff in title match
  • Svitolina has 3-2 record against Gauff
2 min read

Svitolina beats Swiatek to reach third Italian Open final

Elina Svitolina defeats Iga Swiatek 6-2,4-6,6-2 in Italian Open semifinals, advancing to face Coco Gauff in the Rome final.

"The feeling is just unreal to be after so many years here again in the final. - Elina Svitolina"

Rome, May 15

Two-time champion Elina Svitolina defeated three-time winner Iga Swiatek 6-2,4-6,6-2 in the thrilling Italian Open semifinals to advance to the final for the third time.

Svitolina returned to the title match for the first time since winning her back-to-back trophies in 2017-18 and will will face Coco Gauff

in the final -- having beaten the American twice this year -- as both women bid for their first WTA 1000 title of the season.

Svitolina has now beaten Swiatek twice this year, after also beating her in three sets in the quarterfinals at the Paribas Open in March.

"The feeling is just unreal to be after so many years here again in the final," Svitolina said after beating Swiatek in 2 hours and 14 minutes. "It's such an amazing feeling to do it in such a great way, I think."

Svitolina saved 11 of 16 break points in the semifinal, including all five she faced in the final set. She has faced (59) and saved (44) the most break points of any player in a single WTA main draw this season -- excluding team and Grand Slam events.

Her overall win-loss record against Gauff is 3-2 after wins against the two-time Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open and in Dubai.

The age gap between Svitolina and Gauff -- 9 years and 182 days -- marks the biggest in an Internazionali d'Italia final since Martina Navratilova and Monica Seles (17 years and 45 days) played for the title in 1990, according to WTA.

Notably, Gauff became the youngest American since Venus Williams in 1998-99 to reach consecutive Italian Open finals. She is also the first player to reach back-to-back Rome finals since Iga Swiatek in 2021-22.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Hmm, while I respect Svitolina's win, I feel Swiatek maybe wasn't at her best today. The scoreline shows a lot of breaks of serve. Still, credit to Svitolina for saving so many break points. It's going to be an interesting final. Let's see if Gauff can bounce back from those earlier losses. 🇮🇳
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Sarah B
What a match! Svitolina's resilience is amazing. She saved so many break points. I think this could be her year. And Gauff is young, but she's learning fast. It's like a classic battle of experience vs youth. Can't wait for the final! 🎉
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Vikram M
I've been following tennis since Leander Paes days. This Svitolina win is reminiscent of a solid comeback player. But honestly, I think the WTA needs more depth. Top players keep facing off, but the gap between them and others is big. Indian players have long way to go in singles. Still, exciting match! 👍
M
Michael C
Great performance by Svitolina. Her defense was incredible. However, Swiatek seems to have a mental block against her now. She needs to figure that out. Gauff in the final should be interesting – she's been playing well in Rome. Let's see if history repeats or a new story writes itself! 🏆

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