Swiatek faces Sabalenka for Rome title and Serena record

Iga Swiatek swept past Coco Gauff to reach the Rome Open final on Thursday where Aryna Sabalenka will stand in her way of a third title and her bid to match a Serena Williams record. World number one Swiatek eased to a 6-4, 6-3 win over US Open champion Gauff for an 11th straight clay-court […]

Iga Swiatek swept past Coco Gauff to reach the Rome Open final on Thursday where Aryna Sabalenka will stand in her way of a third title and her bid to match a Serena Williams record.

World number one Swiatek eased to a 6-4, 6-3 win over US Open champion Gauff for an 11th straight clay-court victory while second seed Sabalenka defeated Danielle Collins 7-5, 6-2.

Poland’s Swiatek, a four-time Grand Slam title winner, defeated third seed Gauff for the 10th time in 11 encounters.

Swiatek ended with 26 winners and broke her American opponent four times and now stands one victory away from duplicating the Madrid-Rome clay trophy double achieved by Williams 11 years ago.

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“I’m not thinking about statistics or history,” said Swiatek, the 2021 and 2022 champion in Rome.

“I’m just playing day by day. It’s easier that way, it lets you play more freely.”

Gauff admitted she was out-played.  

“I thought I played well the majority of the match, it came down to certain moments,” she said.

“She came up clutch (with) a lot of balls on the line, close to the line, which is what she does. It just happened at some tough moments for me.”

Saturday’s final will be a repeat of the Madrid final earlier this month won by Swiatek.

“I’m super-happy for my first final here,” Sabalenka said. “Playing Iga always gives me extra motivation.

“Our matches are always close and played at a high level. Hopefully we will bring our best tennis on Saturday.”