After nearly three hours of battle, Elena Svitolina defeated Coco Gauff to claim her third Italian Open title.
Rome, Metropolitana – Elina Svitolina finished third Italian Open He won the title on Saturday, defeating Coco Gauff, who lost in the Rome final for the second consecutive year.
Home favorites in Sunday’s men’s final Jannik Sinner Will face Caspar Rudd.
It took Svitolina nearly three hours to prevail 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 to win her first WTA 1000 title since winning in Rome in 2018. The Ukrainian also won the title in 2017.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been eight years since I lifted this trophy here, but of course I’m very, very, very satisfied with the two weeks I spent here,” Svitolina said on the court after winning her 20th career title.
“I told my coach it would be nice to get a round number before I finish my career. So he told me, hopefully we can get that this year. So, I’m very, very happy.”
Gauff, hoping to become the first American to win in Rome since 2016, lost to Jasmine Paolini last year but went on to win the French Open.
“It’s been a great two weeks…I’m definitely feeling motivated going into the French Open,” she said. “There are a lot of lessons learned from this game.”
Gauff started well, breaking Svitolina and staying in love. She also had a chance to take a 5-2 lead, but Svitolina saved three break points and won four consecutive games to get off to a good start.
The third-ranked Gauff struggled with her serve in the second set but eventually took the match to a tiebreak and tied the match.
However, Svitolina dominated the deciding set and broke Gauff’s serve twice, keeping her in contention for the title. Svitolina, ranked seventh, sealed the victory with a net-front volley on the third match point.
Sinner ends Medvedev
Sinner defeated Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 on Saturday in the semi-finals, which were postponed due to heavy rain, becoming only the second man after Medvedev to win the title. Novak Djokovic Win all nine Masters 1000 titles. Djokovic has won at least two Masters titles.
Top-ranked Sinner led 4-2 in the third set when play was paused late Friday. The Italian ended the match within 15 minutes on Saturday, with Medvedev fending off two match points on his own serve to seal his third.
“It’s a very different challenge and a tough one,” Sinner said. “Usually, at night, I don’t have a hard time falling asleep, but this time it wasn’t easy.
“You’re already in the third set and you’re about to end it but you still have to show up again and you never know what’s going to happen. It was like the beginning of the match because it was nerve-wracking again. I’m really happy with how I handled the situation and I got back to the final.”
Earlier Friday, Luther was on the clay at Piazza Italia Defeated home player Luciano Dadri 6-1, 6-1.
Sinner is also trying to become the first Italian man to lift the Roma trophy since Adriano Panatta in 1976. Panatta will present the trophy on Sunday, and Italian President Sergio Mattarella will also attend the men’s final.
The sinner looks exhausted
Sinner looked tired after winning the first set easily on Friday and Medvedev stepped up his game and started running around the court, hitting lobs and ground balls into the corners.
After a few minutes, Sinner was visibly exhausted and bent over, leaning on his racket for support. Midway through the second set, Sinner received treatment from his coach on his right thigh.
Sinner reversed from 0-3 behind, but was broken again in the 12th game and gave the set to Medvedev.
A poor bounce helped Sinner break past Medvedev early in the third period and take control of the game for good.
Sinner defeated Luther 4-0
Sinner has won all four of his career meetings with Ruud without dropping a set – including a 6-0, 6-1 win in the quarterfinals in Rome last year.
“Jannick is chasing history,” Rudd said. “I have to be the one to try and stop him, and it’s not easy playing in his home country. … Last year, he really beat me on the same court, so of course I’m going to be looking for revenge. But at the same time I realize what an incredible player and unique talent he is.”
Sinner lost in last year’s final to Carlos Alcaraz, who was Stand aside Due to an injury to the right wrist. Paolini In 2025, she became the first Italian woman to lift the trophy in 40 years.
Sinner has not lost since the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open on February 19. He has won 28 consecutive matches and set a record of five consecutive Masters titles. He could become only the second man after Rafael Nadal in 2010 to win all three clay court Masters titles – including Monte Carlo and Madrid – in the same season.
For Sinner, Rome will be followed by the French Open, the only Grand Slam he has not won. Title holder Alcaraz will miss it too.
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