Iga Swiatek beats Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to win Italian Open in Rome - 'Another great battle'
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Updated 18/05/2024 at 22:53 GMT
World No. 1 Iga Swiatek defeated world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to win the Italian Open final in Rome. The Pole was electric as she became only the third woman to win in Madrid and Rome in the same year, following in the footsteps of Dinara Safina who won in 2009, and Serena Williams who came out on top in 2013. She will now head to the French Open as the clear favourite
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Iga Swiatek defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-3 to win the Italian Open final, as the two best women's players in the world went head-to-head in Rome.
Swiatek saved three championship points to beat Sabalenka in a classic at the Madrid Open earlier this month, but there was no repeat in Rome as the world No. 1 stormed to victory in less than an hour and a half.
The 22-year-old will now head to the French Open as the clear favourite after back-to-back tournament triumphs on clay.
Swiatek was in complete control during the opening set as Belarus' Sabalenka struggled to find her feet in Rome.
The duo traded the first two games, but the Pole broke her opponent in the fourth with a backhand winner down the line, a shot that would prove devastating as the match progressed.
It was more of the same in the second set as Swiatek stormed towards a quick victory and Sabalenka continued to struggle.
Swiatek had the chance to win it in the ninth game, and she made no mistake, wrapping up a phenomenal performance to seal back-to-back tournament wins in Madrid and Rome.
She is only the third player to win both tournaments in the same year, following in the footsteps of Dinara Safina in 2009 and Serena Williams who came out on top in 2013.
The Pole has now won the Italian Open three times.
Swiatek thanked her Belarusian rival for pushing her to new heights after the straight-sets win.
"Aryna, it was another great battle," she said.
"After Madrid I knew it wasn't going to be easy. It can go one of two ways.
"Thanks for sharing the court with me and really pushing me to get better.
"We'll see about the Roland-Garros final.
"I want to thank my team. I feel like whatever happens I'll have support behind my back, which makes you focus on the right things."
Sabalenka was in jovial move despite being second best in Madrid and Rome.
"I want to thank my team for helping me lose another final," she joked.
"That's all your fault guys, no I am kidding, I am really happy to have you by my side.
"Thank you so much for all the support.
"I love this tournament, I love this city, and I will come back stronger next year and hopefully I am going to get this beautiful trophy and enjoy the atmosphere of Rome in the final
"Iga congrats on a great tournament in Rome, it was great stuff, great tennis.
"I hope you make it to the final in Roland-Garros and I am going to get you there.
"I am just kidding, I just want to do better than today."
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