World #1 and two time champ Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff for the 10th time in 11 meetings, 6-4, 6-3 to reach a 12th WTA 1000 final, third in Rome. Sabalenka will arrive Roland Garros as the world #2.
Clay queen Iga Swiatek surges into Rome Open final with straight sets win over Coco Gauff
WTAThursday, 16 May 2024 at 18:04
Iga Swiatek will face either Danielle Collins or Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the 2024 Rome Open after taking down Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 to also improve her record to 10-1 against the American.
Swiatek’s only loss came in Cincinnati last year with the World No.1 since turning the tables again at the WTA Finals and now her favoured surface of clay. It could be a three peat for Swiatek who has won two out of the past three editions. Elena Rybakina who couldn’t defend her title shocked by sealing it last year with Swiatek having injury worries which were soon diminished in winning Roland Garros again.
She now heads to the final to face a familiar foe. Unintentionally Swiatek started Danielle Collins’ Danimal streak. She only had it ended by her next opponent in Rome in Aryna Sabalenka last week in Madrid. The same player who Swiatek defeated in the final that week. So very much a last four that favoured the Queen of Clay.
Gauff thought she had Hope early on as she went into a 2-0 lead. But this was soon ripped away as she lost the first set despite the fact that she never led until the end of the set. Swiatek broke to make it 5-4 and took the set from there by the finest of margins.
The second saw Gauff lose her serve at 2-2 with Swiatek breaking for a 3-2 lead. She extended her advantage from there to 4-2 and had break point chances to go one away from the title. But Gauff stayed afloat just about. Swiatek handed her a break chance but Gauff couldn’t take it and the former went one away. She then sealed it emphatically with a break of serve. Superb Swiatek moves on with the second semi-final to come this evening.
It also means that no matter what happens, Aryna Sabalenka arrives to Roland Garros as World No.2 with Coco Gauff missing another chance to take the second spot. Sabalenka survives another week and has a chance for a final spot.
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