ROME — Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina signaled her French Open ambitions by battling past world number four Coco Gauff, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2, in the Italian Open final on Saturday to lift her first clay court title of the season ahead of Roland Garros.
Victory over the American followed Svitolina’s wins over world number two Elena Rybakina and third-ranked Iga Swiatek, making her a strong contender to claim a maiden Grand Slam title in Paris, where the main draw begins on May 24.
Svitolina’s third title in the Italian capital comes eight years after her second successive triumph at the Foro Italico, a spell that included a maternity break in which she gave birth to her daughter with fellow player Gael Monfils in late 2022. — Reuters
