Iga Swiatek’s invincible aura took one other hit on Thursday in Rome, because the three-time champion was outgunned by Elina Svitolina in a three-set semifinal, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2.
Svitolina, a two-time champion on the Foro Italico, dominated the deciding set to earn her twenty fifth profession victory in Rome and e book a spot in Saturday’s remaining in opposition to final yr’s runner-up Coco Gauff.
“It’s superb, the sensation is simply unreal to be, after so a few years, right here once more within the remaining, and simply such an incredible feeling to do it in such a good way,” Svitolina stated on court docket after defeating Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in back-to-back matches to achieve her second WTA 1000 remaining of the season.
Swiatek was damaged thrice within the opening set, and that in the end proved pricey as Svitolina secured the decisive break within the tenth recreation. The Ukrainian gained simply 5 of 18 factors on second serve within the set, however managed to outlive the stress moments and edge forward.
The second set belonged virtually solely to Swiatek. The Pole rapidly grabbed management with a break within the opening recreation and a maintain for 2-0, earlier than storming via the rest of the set to degree the competition. However the momentum shift proved short-lived.
Svitolina saved three break factors within the opening recreation of the decider, then broke instantly for a 2-0 lead. Swiatek earned possibilities to interrupt again in each the third and seventh video games, however the Ukrainian stood agency, saving all 5 break factors she confronted within the remaining set.
It’s one other troublesome loss for Swiatek, who had dropped simply three video games mixed in her earlier two matches in opposition to Naomi Osaka and Jessica Pegula. For the second consecutive yr, the four-time Roland-Garros champion will head to Paris with no clay-court title. She has not lifted a trophy on the floor since defeating Jasmine Paolini within the 2024 Roland-Garros remaining.
Nonetheless, Swiatek can take positives from the week, together with her first High 10 victory of the season and her first semifinal look on any floor since final September.
Swiatek hit 50 unforced errors within the match, in opposition to 28 winners. She was damaged six occasions however did handle to win extra factors than Svitolina (88 to 86).
Svitolina, in the meantime, will bid for her first WTA 1000 title since 2018, and her seventh High 10 of the season (6-2 total in 2026 vs High 10).
“We performed many occasions,” she stated of going through Gauff for the sixth time. Svitolina holds a 3-2 edge within the rivalry, together with victories this season on the Australian Open and Dubai. “It’s not a shock, we each understand how that we deliver the struggle, and I believe the final match was one thing out of this world.
“Undoubtedly, I’m gonna rewatch that to search out the methods and techniques. Firstly, I simply need to take pleasure in this win tonight, and tomorrow, I believe it’s a time without work, so I can relaxation, put together and be prepared for the finals.”
