Italian Open 2024: World No. 1 Iga Swiatek beats Coco Gauff in ruthless fashion to reach final

Top-seeded Iga Swiatek advanced to her third Italian Open final on Thursday after eliminating third-seeded American Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3. Notably, the match in Rome on Saturday will pair Swiatek against either American 13th seed Danielle Collins or world number two Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff defeated Swiatek in the second game to take a 2-0 lead after saving two early break chances in the first.

It seems that Iga Swiatek held serve until shattering the 20-year-old to take a 3-2 lead and book her place in the final match of the tournament, where she will look to win an Italian Open title for the third time in four years. Notably, Swiatek has the potential to become just the third player in history to win both the Madrid and Rome titles (Serena Williams in 2013 and Dinara Safina in 2009).

Meanwhile, Iga Swiatek expressed her happiness after such a great win. She revealed that she was just focusing on work and trying to enjoy her match timings on court. In addition, the 20-year-old was ecstatic and did not want to talk about her past history, as it made her calm and very relaxed. Furthermore, the Polish star aims to win the  Italian Open 2024 after winning the recently concluded Mutua Madrid Open 2024.

I'm just gonna try to play the best tennis as possible in the final: Iga Swiatek

"I was just trying to be myself, focus on the work and trying to enjoy my time off the court as well so I can have the energy. I'm happy to be playing so consistently because it means that we're doing everything well. I'm really proud of myself and the team as well. Honestly I'm not really thinking about that because it's kind of a lot. I'm just living my life day by day. I'm not thinking about statistics or history. I think it's easier that way. It makes you play more relaxed and more freely," Swiatek told Sky Sports Tennis.

"I'm just gonna try to play the best tennis as possible in the final. If I take it easy and step by step, I think it's gonna be better than if I'm thinking about winning already," she added further.