IGA SWIATEK POWERS PAST COCO GAUFF INTO ITALIAN OPEN FINAL AND TAKES HUGE STEP TOWARDS MADRID-ROME DOUBLE

Iga Swiatek was at her best to overpower Coco Gauff in a pulsating Italian Open semi-final victory against the reigning US Open champion. Swiatek will now face either Danielle Collins or Aryna Sabalenka in Sunday’s final, hoping to become only the third women’s player to complete a Madrid-Rome double in the last 15 years.

Iga Swiatek moved a huge step closer to claiming a Madrid-Rome double after motoring into the Italian Open final with a superb 6-4 6-3 semi-final victory over Coco Gauff.
The 22-year-old progressed after one hour and 48 minutes of tennis in a supreme show of confidence on her favoured surface.

The Pole responded with an immediate break back, and both were rock solid until the ninth game which decisively went in Swiatek’s favour.
After breaking Gauff at the second opportunity, she rounded off the first set with an emphatic hold to love to draw first blood in the contest.
After the first four games of the second set went with serve, the signs were looking ominous when Swiatek went a set and a break up at 3-2.

Gauff stayed in the fight after swatting away two more break-point opportunities for the world No. 1 to take a hard-fought hold at 4-3 after a game which went to deuce five times.
The final was coming into view for Swiatek when she saved break-back point to take a crucial hold at 5-3 and leave Gauff serving to stay in the match.
It was a case of job done when Gauff hit a backhand long and Swiatek was on course for a third title in four years in the Italian capital.

Speaking after the match, Swiatek said: “I’m trying to be myself, focused on the work and trying to enjoy my time off the court as well so I have that energy [to compete].
“The tour is pretty intense so I’m happy to be playing so consistently because it means that we’re doing everything well.

“So, I’m really proud of myself and my team as well.”
Victory in Sunday’s final against either Aryna Sabalenka or Danielle Collins would ensure Swiatek becomes only the third women’s player to win a Madrid-Rome double since the former tournament was introduced in 2009.