Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenkathe world number 1 and 2, will play on Saturday the best possible final in WTA 1,000 Romerepeat the recent final of Madrid, where the Pole won after saving three match-balls against the Belarusian: 7-5, 4-6 and 7-6. Iga dominated Aryna in their previous rivalry (7-3).
This Thursday both reaffirmed their promotion against their two American semi-final rivals: Swiatek beat Coco Gauff (3rd), which he won 10 of his 11 matches (6-4, 6-3), and defeated Sabalenka Danielle Collins (15th), is currently undefeated against the Belarusian in six matches played: 7-5 and 6-2.
Both Swiatek and Sabalenka will be competing in their fourth finals of the year: Iga has won the previous three (Doha, Indian Wells, Madrid) and Aryna reigned first grand slamhe Australian Openbut fell into Brisbane and Madrid. It will be the 25th final for Swiatek (20-4), a two-time champion in Rome (2021, 2022), and the 28th for Sabalenka (14-13).
The two will be the main favorites in the Roland Garrossecond ‘big’ of the season and culmination of the European clay tour to be held in Paris from May 26 to June 9.
Sabalenka again proved to be an impenetrable wall for Collins, who was No. 4 in the 2024 ranking thanks to a very atypical situation. The 30-year-old American announced that he will retire at the end of this season, but he is playing better than ever and won 19 of his last 21 matches: only Sabalenka in Madrid and Rome intervened in this happy streak that included the titles of Miami and Charleston.
Source: La Verdad
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