Svitolina Beats Gauff in Three Sets to Win Third Italian Open Title
Elina Svitolina’s win in Rome is her first clay title of the season ahead of Roland Garros.
Gauff forced a deciding set after winning the second-set tiebreak but couldn’t hold off Svitolina’s late surge...
Elina Svitolina sent a clear message ahead of the French Open by edging past world No. 4 Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 in the Italian Open final on Saturday. The win gave her a third title in Rome and her first clay trophy of the season.
Svitolina came back from a break down twice in the opening set to level it at 4-4. Under heavy pressure and through long, grueling rallies, she found her range with aggressive hitting and broke for 5-4 to move ahead.
THE CHAMPION IN ROME!!! 💪@ElinaSvitolina | #IBI26 pic.twitter.com/yafs6JpUlI
— wta (@WTA) May 16, 2026
A couple of untimely double faults from Gauff handed Svitolina the first set. The 31-year-old then pushed the pace late in the second and looked set to close out a third Rome title.
Gauff, the reigning French Open champion, stayed in it and held serve to 5-5. She broke next when a netcord shot threw Svitolina off, forcing a weak return that Gauff put away with a reflex volley.
Gauff’s momentum didn’t last. Svitolina broke straight back, but Gauff lifted her level in the tiebreak to force a third set. The decider stayed tight through the first four games.
Elina Svitolina shares her thanks after winning her third title in the Eternal City ✨#IBI26 pic.twitter.com/GwuY0KS02a
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 16, 2026
A backhand error from Gauff gave Svitolina a crucial break in the fifth game. She broke again for a 5-2 lead, then held her nerve in a tense finish to close it out on her third match point.
Svitolina now heads to Roland Garros aiming for a maiden Grand Slam. The French Open starts in Paris on May 24.
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