Svitolina extends mastery over Swiatek to secure Italian Open final seat

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Elina Svitolina continued to have Iga Swiatek’s number.

For the second consecutive time in their head-to-head meeting, the 31-year-old Ukrainian ace got the better of the six-time Grand Slam champion, booting her out of the ongoing Italian Open tournament, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, on May 15, 2026, at Foro Italico in Rome.

Fresh off a three-set escape during her Indian Wells quarterfinal triumph over Swiatek, Svitolina outplayed the Polish netter in the first and last sets to formalize her final entry in the WTA 1000 event.

Svitolina bucked a hot start from Swiatek, recovering midway through the first set with a crucial break point that put her ahead, 5-3.

Although Swiatek was able to hold serve in the next game, Svitolina moved a frame away after countering with her own hold to establish a 1-0 lead.

The complexion of the match completely changed in the next set when Swiatek minimized her baseline errors and started to serve consistently.

Swiatek raced to a commanding 3-0 lead, putting pressure on Svitolina, who had to work for every point against the rejuvenated Polish star.

Svitolina’s hopes of a comeback rally then evaporated after Swiatek scored another break point to increase her advantage to 5-2, forcing the thrilling semifinal duel to a winner-take-all deciding third set.

When everyone expected a trade-off that would lead to a tiebreaker, Svitolina spoiled any anticipated scripts as she kicked off the third set waxing hot.

Svitolina didn’t waste any time capitalizing on the moment and ran down Swiatek in the third with two break points, backstopped by a series of victories in the long rally exchanges.

To make things worse, Swiatek’s topspin forehand return, her bread and butter that helped her regain footing in the second set, was nowhere to be seen.

Svitolina wrapped up the momentum-boosting semis win with 88 points won, including 47 on the return, two service aces, and six break points.

“The feeling is just unreal to be after so many years here again in the final. It’s such an amazing feeling to do it in such a great way, I think,” Svitolina said after marching to the final.

With the win, Svitolina set up a highly anticipated championship showdown against Coco Gauff, who earlier took down Sorana Cirstea in straight sets.