Elina Svitolina won her third Italian Open title on Saturday after defeating Coco Gauff in three sets.
Svitolina, the world number 10, defeated her American opponent 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in the Foro Italico.
The Ukrainian, who is now a serious contender for the Roland Garros title later this year, previously won the Italian Open title in 2017 and 2018.
Is this the year Elina Svitolina finally wins a Grand Slam?
She's the 2026 Italian Open champion!
Svitolina’s triumph in Rome will represent a source of joy for many; not least for Gael Monfils, who wrote a heartfelt message on social media following his wife’s victory.
The 31-year-old will hope to continue her excellent run of form later this month when she aims to win her first Grand Slam title in Paris.
Elina Svitolina is the oldest player since 1990 to defeat three top-five ranked players at a WTA event
Elina Svitolina enjoyed a superb Italian Open campaign, beating three top-five ranked players on her way to the title in Rome.
As per OptaAce, since the format’s introduction in 1990, Elina Svitolina is now the oldest player to claim three WTA top five wins at a single event.
At 31 years and 235 days [start of the event], Svitolina has surpassed Serena Williams in this statistical area.
Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, achieved the feat while competing at the 2013 Miami Open.
The top seed defeated Li Na, Agnieszka Radwańska and Maria Sharapova on her way to winning the title in Florida.
Mary Pierce, Steffi Graf and Jessica Pegula round out the five oldest players to have claimed three WTA top five wins at a WTA event.
The oldest players to claim three WTA top five wins at a single event [since 1990]
- Elina Svitolina: 31 years and 235 days
- Serena Williams: 31 years and 173 days
- Mary Pierce: 30 years and 296 days
- Steffi Graf: 29 years and 344 days
- Jessica Pegula: 29 years and 248 days
Returning to Svitolina’s triumph in Rome – the Ukrainian will hope that she can carry her excellent form into Roland Garros, which is due to begin on May 24.
Svitolina, who is yet to win a Grand Slam singles title, reached the quarter-finals of last year’s event before losing to Iga Swiatek in straight sets.
Is Elina Svitolina playing her best tennis?
After defeating Gauff on Saturday, Svitolina was asked if she is playing her ‘best tennis.’
“Yeah, it’s been a very tough, tough matches,” the Ukrainian replied. “I think the only one I remember was also tougher was in Toronto when I won it. I also played I think four top-10 players at that time.
“Here I think taking into consideration that playing past champions here as well how loves to play here: Rybakina, Swiatek. I think also Coco made a final here.
“She won Roland Garros. She’s a great clay court player.
Is Coco Gauff the third-best player on the WTA Tour? 🤔
If not, who is?
“For me, of course it gives me a lot of confidence going into Roland Garros. Yeah, as I mentioned, I’m very proud of the effort, of the intensity that I’ve been able to put in to beat those players.”
Svitolina is now set to rise three places to world number seven following her triumph in Rome.
The 31-year-old has overtaken Jasmine Paolini, Victoria Mboko and Mirra Andreeva, meaning she will almost certainly be a top-eight seed for Roland Garros.
