Overview
- Elina Svitolina beat Iga Swiatek 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in Thursday’s semifinal to advance to the Rome title match against Coco Gauff.
- Swiatek’s surge included a 6-1, 6-2 quarter-final on Wednesday over Jessica Pegula, who won just 2 of 16 points on her second serve as Swiatek attacked returns early.
- Svitolina turned back 11 of 16 break points and kept Swiatek off balance, extending a season edge after also defeating her at Indian Wells in March.
- Swiatek credited recent work with coach Francisco Roig for a return to heavier spin and patient clay-court patterns, which produced her first top-10 win of 2026 and her first semifinal of the year.
- The Rome run adds ranking points and confidence before the French Open begins May 24, though the semifinal exit offers a reality check after a difficult start to the season.