Swiatek ease past Sabalenka to win third Rome title

Iga Swiatek defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 on Saturday to win the Internazionali BNL d’Italia title.

The 22-year-old pole and top seed came out on top in Rome in the latest clash between the World No.1 and No.2 players.

Swiatek needed 1 hour and 29 minutes to beat Sabalenka for the eighth time in their 11 meetings. Swiatek has triumphed in Rome in three of the last four years, also taking the WTA 1000 title in 2021 and 2022.

Swiatek’s run to her 21st career WTA singles title, and her fourth of this year, increases a number of her staggering statistics.

Rome becomes the third tournament where Swiatek is a three-time champion. Swiatek has also won three titles at Roland Garros (2020, 2022 and 2023) and Doha (2022, 2023 and 2024).

Swiatek also defeated Sabalenka in the Mutua Madrid Open final two weeks ago (saving three championship points) and she becomes the third player to win Rome and Madrid in the same year. Dinara Safina pulled off the double in 2009, and Serena Williams followed suit in 2013.

Swiatek, who turns 23 at the end of this month, is only the second woman to win three or more Internazionali BNL d’Italia titles before the age of 23 in the Open Era (since 1969). Gabriela Sabatini won four Rome titles before her 22nd birthday.