Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, ranked 10th in the world, has advanced to the final of the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome where she will face American Coco Gauff, ranked 4th in the world, after the semifinals played on Thursday.
Svitolina, 31 years old, defeated the Polish player Iga Swiatek, ranked 3rd in the world and a three-time champion at the Foro Italico, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.
A two-time winner of the Italian tournament on clay court (2017, 2018), the Ukrainian will aim for her 20th WTA title on Saturday, her second this year and fifth WTA 1000 title, which is the most prestigious category after Grand Slam tournaments.
Gauff, on the other hand, will play her second consecutive final in Rome after eliminating Romanian Sorana Cirstea, ranked 27th in the world at 36 years old, with a score of 6-4, 6-3, who will retire at the end of the season.
The 22-year-old American is seeking her 12th title, her first this year.
While she had to fight hard to reach the semifinals, including saving a match point against her compatriot Iva Jovic in the round of 16, Gauff, the winner of the 2025 French Open, has been in control this time.
“Winning in two sets feels good after this marathon week (…) My victory against Iva (Jovic) was a turning point, I feel like I’m playing better and better,” she said after leaving the court.
In 2025, Gauff lost in the final at the Foro Italico against Italian Jasmine Paolini, who was eliminated this year in the third round.
In their head-to-head matchups, Svitolina leads by three victories to two. She has won their last two encounters, which took place this year in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and in the semifinals of the WTA 1000 in Dubai.
“We have faced each other several times, we know how each other plays. Our last showdown was extraordinary, I will watch it again,” Svitolina said.
