ROME — Elina Svitolina gained her third Italian Open title on Saturday, defeating Coco Gauff, who she misplaced to within the closing for the second consecutive yr in Rome.
Svitolina gained 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 in almost three hours to win her first WTA 1000 title since successful the title in Rome in 2018. The Ukrainian additionally gained in 2017.
“I am unable to imagine it has been eight years since I used to be right here with this trophy. After all I am very, very, very proud of the 2 weeks right here,” Svitolina mentioned on court docket after successful her twentieth profession title.
“I informed my coach that it will be good to get a spherical quantity earlier than the tip of my profession, and he mentioned he hopes I can get it this yr. So I am very, very joyful.”
Gauff had hoped to change into the primary American to win in Rome since 2016, however she gained the French Open final yr regardless of shedding to Jasmine Paolini.
“It has been an incredible two weeks…I am undoubtedly feeling the momentum going into Roland Garros,” Gauff mentioned. “I realized quite a bit from this match.”
Gauff acquired off to an incredible begin, defeating Svitolina and sticking to Love. She had probabilities to take a 5-2 lead, however Svitolina fended off three break factors and gained 4 video games in a row to open the match.
Gauff, ranked third within the rankings, struggled together with her serve all through the second set, however managed to pressure a tiebreak and degree the match.
Nevertheless, Svitolina dominated the deciding match, breaking Gauff’s serve twice and protecting her serve for the title. World No. 7 Svitolina sealed the end result with a volley on the web on her third match level.
