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This will be the fifth time Sabalenka and
Swiatek meet in a final, all of which have been on clay.
Gauff saved two early break points in the first game and then
broke Swiatek in the second for a 2-0 lead.
However, the Pole hit back and then broke the U.S. Open champion
at 4-4 before holding to take the first set 6-4 with a clinical
backhand winner.
The second set went with serve until Swiatek broke the
20-year-old to lead 3-2 and eventually booked her spot in the
final where she will bid for a third Italian Open title in four
years.
Following her 11th straight win on clay, Swiatek could become
only the third player in history to win the Madrid-Rome double
after Dinara Safina in 2009 and Serena Williams in 2013.
After Sabalenka setting up a rematch of Madrid Open final, the
Belarusian was looking forward to another duel with Swiatek.
"I really like our tough battles. It's always close matches,"
Sabalenka said when asked about facing Swiatek.
"I really enjoy playing against her. It's always high level
tennis. Hopefully we bring our best tennis and you guys enjoy
watching us play. And hopefully this time I'm going to get this
title with your support."
The Belarusian raced to a 4-1 lead in the first set against
Collins before the American broke back to draw level.
Sabalenka, however, eventually took the set and eased to
victory, never facing a break point in the second set.
(Reporting by Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk,Editing by Toby Davis
and Pritha Sarkar) [© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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