Rome, May 17: Seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina showcased an impressive performance to win the Women’s Singles Final at the Italian Open, defeating Coco Gauff in a match that lasted two hours. The final score was 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2.
Svitolina, who reached the final after defeating second-seeded Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, initially appeared under pressure against last year’s runner-up, Gauff. She found herself trailing 2-4 in the first set. The turning point came in the eighth game when Gauff, after leading 40-0, committed two double faults, allowing Svitolina to break back. According to a report by Xinhua, Svitolina then saved three break points in the ninth game to secure the first set 6-4.
The second set was fiercely contested, with Gauff taking a crucial break in the 11th game. However, as she served for the set, Svitolina quickly responded with a break, leading to a tiebreak. Gauff displayed excellent form in the tiebreak, winning it 7-3 and leveling the match.
In the decisive set, Svitolina regained control by breaking Gauff in the fifth and seventh games. Serving for the championship, she saved three break points before sealing her victory with a backhand volley. This win marks Svitolina’s third singles title in Rome and her 20th WTA singles title overall.
After the match, Svitolina remarked, “It was definitely a tough battle.” She expressed satisfaction with how she managed her nerves throughout the tournament. In the men’s draw, world number one Jannik Sinner completed his rain-delayed semifinal match against seventh seed Daniil Medvedev, winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 to secure his place in the final against 23rd seed Casper Ruud.
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