2026 Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Rome, Italy - WTA 1000

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gauff has to get on these 2nd serves of Elina
Gauff must of heard me lol! did have a BP and of course got snuffed out by Elina

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

For the life of me how did Elina get to that ball, chasing that ball from nearly the back of the court, I thought Coco won that point

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

There was an opening for Gauff quickly Elina shut the door and holds serve

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gauff to serve at 4-5
30 all
Gauff has to stand tough here
Good recovery from Gauff as Elina had a chance to come in
Gauff holds
5 ll

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Good depth on that bhand from Gauff has love 30 now
Good return from Gauff
Gauff has 2 BPs
No Coco you pushed that fhand
Get on this 2nd serve of Elina
Gauff breaks with a drop shot and she will serve for the 2nd set 6-5

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

NOOOOOOOOO Coco stop pushing your shots
Elina with love 30
Elina now with love 40

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elina responds and breaks back a TB for the 2nd set 6 games all
No Guts No Glory in this TB I feel

What a bhand volley from Elina she didnt even look at the ball with great touch and she knew where to put it on the court
Coco showing great depth and clarity right now moving forward to the net with composure
SP for Coco 6-3 on her serve
Gauff 76(3) and played a great TB
Going 3
BTW I predicated this match would go 3

 

[don_fabio]

I'm off for a run, will come back later to check on what happened. I give Coco an upper hand in 3rd set.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

I'm off for a run, will come back later to check on what happened. I give Coco an upper hand in 3rd set.

Great minds Don I will go for a run after this match, run wisely lol!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gauff with a BP a great cross court bh
Of course Elina snufs it out
Elina finds her 1st serve and holds
2 games

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Momentum swift Elina with 2 BPs and she breaks
Elina 3-2, she knows if she is to win this match, must stay on the front foot on the baseline at all times, dictating aggressive shots from the baseline, still a long way to go.
Gauff must keep the depth on her shots and when possible move forward and also bring Elina in
What a dig from Coco with that drop volley
Crucial hold from Elina to back up the break
Elina 4-2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elina with BPs with just terrific speed around the court playing with Controlled Aggression
Back to deuce
Elina with a drop shot and she has just painted the line with a FH winner
Elina will serve for the title her 3rd title in Roma, 5-2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Somewhere AP has a Huge Smile on his face and he has every right to smile Elina has played a great final with smart aggressive play with conviction!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Gauff has a BP as Elina's first serve long
No Coco she netted that fhand
Back to deuce
All of a sudden Elina pushes her shots
BP Gauff
Gauff hits her FH long
Back to deuce
Gauff coming forward and hits a lob and no Elina could not get to it this time
Deuce a good serve from Elina
CH Point for Elina
Have to wait a little longer back to deuce fhand long
2nd CH point for Elina
Gauff with all her great fighting skills back to deuce
Great 1st serve for Elina
3rd CH Point for Elina

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elina is a Roman Champion once again for the 3rd time in her career, it has taken her 8 years to claim her 3rd Roman title
What a match! Elina is the Queen of Saving Break Points,
Elina 64 67(3) 62
I really enjoyed this match Well done Ladies!

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Now I am off for a run maybe I can catch Don Fabio mainly because it is now 5am in the morning and if I dont run now I will fall asleep on my desk
Back later with some stats

 

[don_fabio]

Elina played outstanding match today. I now regret that I haven't watched the 3rd set. Good fight between these two players and well worth the ticket.

Numerous points were pure clay cat and mouse game. Dropshots, volleys, using every corner of the court.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

31 yo Elina Svitolina becomes the oldest player to get 3 consecutive Top 5 wins at a WTA1000 tournament all in 3 sets.
3rd player to come back as a Mum and win a WTA1000 event,Clijsters. Azarenka and now Svitolina.

Gael Monfils congratulates his wife on Instagram after her title in Rome,

"Eight year, Eight years to the top of a WTA1000"

Svitolina becomes the 5th women to win Roma, 3 times or more,
Conchita Martinez
Serena Williams,
Maria Sharapova
Iga Swiatek
Elina Svitolina

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In the 2nd SF of the Ladies Doubles which had to be played on Saturday due to rain,

Andreeva/Shnaider d Hunter/Pegula 61 62

 

[britbox]

Final Highlights