Previous to Wednesday evening’s quarterfinal tilt in Rome, Elina Svitolina had received all 5 WTA quarterfinals she had contested in 2026, however none of them had come in opposition to a drive fairly like World No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
Totally different opponent, similar consequence. Make it six out of six for Svitolina.
Two-time Rome champion Svitolina produced one other resilient efficiency on Wednesday, rallying for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory to e-book her place within the semifinals on the Foro Italico.
“It’s actually particular to have these sorts of moments on court docket,” stated Svitolina, at the moment the highest-ranked mom on the WTA Tour. “Coming again to the Prime 10, enjoying large matches, successful them, it’s a very treasured feeling. [I want to] proceed and go for extra.”
The 31-year-old will now flip her consideration to a blockbuster semifinal in opposition to three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek.
Swiatek, who dismantled Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-2, on Wednesday, improved to 25-3 lifetime on the Foro Italico. Svitolina, champion in Rome in 2017 and 2018, now owns a 24-9 profession report on the occasion.
Svitolina has received two of her six conferences with Swiatek, although she misplaced each of their earlier clay-court encounters in straight units.
Wednesday’s conflict started firmly on Rybakina’s racquet. The Kazakh earned 11 break factors within the opening set and transformed twice, greater than sufficient to race to a 6-2 benefit.
However the match progressively shifted in Svitolina’s favor because the Ukrainian adjusted her court docket positioning and prolonged the rallies, forcing Rybakina into more and more bodily exchanges. Over time, the tactic started to put on down the two-time main champion.
Dealing with fixed stress within the second set, Svitolina walked a tightrope brilliantly, saving all seven break factors she confronted whereas claiming the 52-minute set to drive a decider. It was an impressive show of psychological resilience, and the Ukrainian carried that momentum straight into the third set with an instantaneous break of serve.
She broke once more for a 3-0 lead, changing her fourth break level of the sport when a Rybakina forehand drifted vast. Rybakina recovered one of many breaks, however she by no means moved inside putting distance as Svitolina sealed the victory with a service winner after two hours and 33 minutes.
