The 2026 Italian Open is gearing up for a spectacular conclusion in Saturday’s championship match. Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, playing the best tennis of her post-maternity comeback, will square off against Coco Gauff. Both women have navigated tough draws to reach the final, and for Svitolina, a two-time champion at the Foro Italico(2017, 2018), the return to the title match feels ‘unreal.’
Elina Svitolina Eyes ‘Out of This World’ Rematch With Coco Gauff in Rome Final
Svitolina secured her spot in the championship match by outlasting world No. 3 Iga Swiatek in a three-set battle, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. On the other side of the draw, world No. 4 Gauff brought a definitive end to Sorana Cîrstea’s Cinderella run, which had previously included a shocking upset over Aryna Sabalenka, defeating the Romanian veteran in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.
As both prepare for their sixth career meeting, Svitolina believes there are virtually no secrets left between them. Gauff aims to secure her first WTA 1000 title of the season, while the 31-year-old is chasing a third Roman crown.
Svitolina, who defeated Gauff earlier this year at the Australian Open and in Dubai, and holds a 3-2 H2H record, intends to rely on video analysis to prepare for the American’s heavy topspin.
“It’s amazing… The feeling is just unreal to be after so many years here again in the final. It’s such an amazing feeling to do it in such a great way, I think,” Svitolina said.
“I definitely have a game plan. 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,” she explained.
Svitolina has succeeded in a career resurgence since returning from her maternity break in 2023. She frequently credits her daughter, Skaï, for giving her a renewed perspective on the sport. And that confidence is obvious in her 2026 campaign. Svitolina opened the year with a title in Auckland, reached the final in Dubai, and has now toppled world No. 2 and 3, Elena Rybakina and now Swiatek, to reach the Rome final.
For Swiatek, the semifinal loss just added more pressure to her frustrating 2026 season, struggling to get through the quarterfinals and semifinals of major events, let alone find the finishing touch to lift a trophy, even after hiring Rafael Nadal’s former long-time coach, Francisco Roig, and spending weeks training at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca to sharpen her clay-court game.
The final match will take place on Saturday, May 16, at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, at 11:30 a.m. ET (5:30 p.m. local time), to be streamed on the Tennis Channel.
