Iga Swiatek powers past Coco Gauff into Italian Open final and takes huge step towards Madrid-Rome double – Eurosport

Iga Swiatek moved a huge step closer to claiming a Madrid-Rome double after motoring into the Italian Open final with a superb 6-4 6-3 semi-final victory over Coco Gauff.

The 22-year-old progressed after one hour and 48 minutes of tennis in a supreme show of confidence on her favoured surface.

Gauff set her stall out early on with a break which she topped off with a sublime lob to move 2-0 in front.

The Pole responded with an immediate break back, and both were rock solid until the ninth game which decisively went in Swiatek’s favour.

After breaking Gauff at the second opportunity, she rounded off the first set with an emphatic hold to love to draw first blood in the contest.

After the first four games of the second set went with serve, the signs were looking ominous when Swiatek went a set and a break up at 3-2.

Gauff stayed in the fight after swatting away two more break-point opportunities for the world No. 1 to take a hard-fought hold at 4-3 after a game which went to deuce five times.

The final was coming into view for Swiatek when she saved break-back point to take a crucial hold at 5-3 and leave Gauff serving to stay in the match.

It was a case of job done when Gauff hit a backhand long and Swiatek was on course for a third title in four years in the Italian capital.

Speaking after the match, Swiatek said: “I’m trying to be myself, focused on the work and trying to enjoy my time off the court as well so I have that energy [to compete].

“The tour is pretty intense so I’m happy to be playing so consistently because it means that we’re doing everything well.

“So, I’m really proud of myself and my team as well.” 

Victory in Sunday’s final against either Aryna Sabalenka or Danielle Collins would ensure Swiatek becomes only the third women’s player to win a Madrid-Rome double since the former tournament was introduced in 2009.

She could follow in the footsteps on Dinara Safina 15 years ago and Serena Williams in 2013, but insisted achieving such a feat is not at the forefront of her mind.

Swiatek said: “I’m not really thinking about the statistics or history, and it’s easier that way because it makes you play more relaxed and freely.

“I’m going to play the best tennis I can in the final and if I take it easy step by step then it’ll be better than thinking about winning.

“They’re [Sabalenka and Collins] both great players, so there’s still a lot of work to do.”