Coco Gauff and Elina Svitolina are set to face off for the Rome title. Neither player appeared ready for a final-round run when the tournament began. Now, they will meet seemingly at the peak of their powers.
Svitolina’s Training Boost
Svitolina lost her opener in Madrid, which she believes gave her a rare chance to do some serious mid-season training. She stated that she prioritised her fitness and strength during that period. She said she switched off completely from tennis and had a good eight days of training.
Svitolina’s training may have turned her into a contender for the title not just in Rome, but Roland Garros as well. She has knocked off Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in her last two matches. She played with locked-in determination and confidence under pressure.
Gauff’s Road to the Final
Gauff had lost fairly early in Stuttgart and Madrid, and was distracted by off-court issues. Just a week ago, she looked dead in the water in the third round against Solana Sierra. However, she battled through that match, then staged a comeback against Iva Jovic, then survived a three-setter against Mirra Andreeva. She looked her old Slam-winning self in her straight-set win over Sorana Cirtstea in the semis.
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
Svitolina leads their head-to-head 3-2. She has already beaten Coco twice. The second match, in Dubai in February, went to 6-4 in the third. Svitolina is 19-5 overall in finals, and 7-0 on clay.
Gauff has a strong résumé as well. She’s 11-4 in finals and has two major titles. She’s ranked six spots higher—No. 4 to No. 10—and she has been a top three performer on clay for most of this decade.
The Final Showdown
The match is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. ET | 8:00 a.m. PT. Svitolina is very good in finals.
- Svitolina leads their head-to-head 3-2.
- Svitolina is 19-5 overall in finals.
- Gauff is ranked No. 4 to Svitolina’s No. 10.
If Svitolina can maintain the same form, mood, and fitness that she showed in the semis and quarters, she could win again.