It’s a top-two showdown at the 2024 Italian Open in Rome as top performers Iga Swiatek faces Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The match is scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2024.
How Iga Swiatek make it to the Final?
On 16th May, Iga Swiatek defeated Coco Gauff for the 10th time in their one-sided rivalry to reach her third final at the Italian Open. It honestly felt as were looking at greatness being unfolded in front of everyone’s eye because what Swiatek was producing was from the top drawer. The Pole improved her record in Rome to 19-2. She has a 116-17 lifetime record on clay.
Here are a couple of remarkable stats: Swiatek has reached the final in 40% of the WTA 1000 tournaments.
She has played (12 of 30); it’s the highest such rate since this category was incepted in 2009.
It’s a better ratio even than that of the legendary Serena Williams. Additionally, this fortnight, she is playing her 19th WTA Tour-level main draw on clay. She’s now made the final in eleven of them!
Sabalenka’s way to Finals
Aryna Sabalenka, for her part, downed Danielle Collins for the second time in as many weeks. Sabalenka had a bumpy ride to reach the championship match, dropping a set to American qualifier Katie Voylnets and former World No. 3 Elina Svitolina in a match where she saved three match points.
But her performance has improved since escaping with a victory over the Ukrainian. Like Swiatek, it’s back-to-back finals for the Belarusian, but can she requite her Madrid final loss?
A *chef’s kiss* performance 😚🤌 ⁰⁰Aryna Sabalenka advances to the final in Rome with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Collins!⁰⁰#IBI24 pic.twitter.com/P32z14Ujd3
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 16, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka’s injury during tournament
The two-time Grand Slam champion was somewhat surprised to find herself in another final given that she has been battling an injury. She needed a medical time-out during her win over Elina Svitolina on Monday and has now revealed that she likely would have pulled out of the tournament if she didn’t have a day to rest between matches.
“After Madrid, I didn’t feel great. I had illness, then I got injured. I kind of surprised that I even was so much stuff going on I was able to made it to the final. Kind of like surprised,” Sabalenka said after beating Danielle Collins in the semi-final. “At the same time I knew that the level is there. If I start feeling better, I can go to the finals. So it’s like 50/50, you know?”
She continued: “I was considering retiring from the tournament. Lucky me, I had an extra day. I was doing a lot of recovery. I’m still doing lots of exercise, lots of treatments, always taking care of my lower back. It’s getting better. So I guess we’re on the right way. I don’t know. I’m doing everything myself to recover as fast as I can and to be ready for the Paris. Right now I’m feeling great. I’m not in pain during the matches.”
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka in a Head-To-Head contest
Swiatek leads Sabalenka 7-3 in their head-to-head. They last played at the 2024 Madrid Open two weeks ago. Swiatek won in three sets after saving three championship points. The Pole is 13-1 on clay in 2024, while Sabalenka is 11-2 on the same surface this season.
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka Madrid final?
RUN 👏 IT 👏 BACK 👏 pic.twitter.com/BzPzTua6li
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) May 2, 2024
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka: Who can win?
Of the 24 finals Swiatek has played, she has only lost four of them. One of those defeats was accounted for by Sabalenka at the 2023 Madrid Open. Although the Belarusian nearly did it again a couple of weeks ago, the Pole defeated her by showing off her steely resolve in that epic third set. Sabalenka has impressed in the last two rounds in Rome, finding her competitive groove at just the right time.
We can expect a competitive final, but the conditions will suit Swiatek to ease to victory and join Dinara Safina and Serena Williams as the third woman in WTA history to win the Madrid-Rome double.
ALSO READ: https://usateller.com/caitlin-clarks-wnba-debut-had-a-rocky-start/
