Elina Svitolina is no stranger to glory in Rome, and the 31-year-old is racking up even more of it in 2026.
A two-time champion of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (2017, 2018), Svitolina is back in the final after upsetting Iga Swiatek 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 on Thursday night. Swiatek had lost only seven total games in her previous three matches, so the Pole went into this semifinal showdown as a heavy favorite. However, Svitolina had other ideas.
“The feeling is just unreal to be after so many years here again in the final,” the world No. 10 commented. “It’s such an amazing feeling to do it in such a great way, I think.”
Svitolina will battle Coco Gauff in the title match after Gauff defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3. The head-to-head series stands at 3-2 in favor of the Ukrainian, including 2-0 this season. She prevailed 6-1, 6-2 at the Australian Open before surviving a 6-4, 6-7(13), 6-4 thriller in the Dubai semis.
“I definitely have a game plan,” Svitolina assured. “Not now exactly, but I will have it. We’ve played many times. It’s not a surprise. We both know the way we bring the fight. Our last match was something out of this world. I’m gonna rewatch that to find the ways — some tactics. I want to enjoy this win tonight. Tomorrow it’s a day off…so I can rest, prepare, and be ready for the final.”