Svitolina topples Gauff and reigns for the third time at the WTA Rome

Pedro de Pablos | 16 May 2026 | 18.37

Svitolina topples Gauff and reigns for the third time at WTA Rome

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Elina Svitolina has managed to lift the trophy at the ATP Roma 2026 after defeating Coco Gauff with a scoreline of 6-4 6-7(3) and 6-2, after two hours and 45 minutes of play. In this way, the Ukrainian tennis player returns to reign at the Foro Italico for the third time in her career, and she arrives with sky-high confidence at Roland Garros, where she will be one of the top contenders.

As for Coco Gauff, it can be said that she once again stumbled on the same stone as last year. Another final, another defeat. Jasmine Paolini in 2025, Svitolina in 2026. Over the past few weeks, the American tennis player had shown a significant improvement in her serve, her major weakness, but today she suffered six service breaks and committed up to 7 double faults, which is a setback in her confidence as she aims to defend the title in Paris in a few days.

Svitolina takes the lead after a break fest

The match began with a series of breaks. First, Gauff took a 2-0 lead, but then Svitolina quickly responded, leveling the score. However, it was the young American tennis player who dominated the rallies, securing another break to go up 4-2. Elina had no answer to Coco's solid baseline play, and she had to save three more break points to avoid falling 5-2 behind.

Nevertheless, the Ukrainian player clung to the court as best she could, to the point that she managed to break Gauff's serve in the following game to level the score at 4-4, showcasing that the serves of both players were more of a struggle than an advantage. Once again, it seemed like Coco would break Svitolina's serve, but the Ukrainian player endured to hold her serve and counterattack in the next game, breaking the American player and winning 6-4 the first set that she seemed to have almost lost at times.

Gauff forces the third set after winning the tiebreak

The second set was the complete opposite of the first, as both players significantly improved their serving performance. However, Gauff faced constant pressure on her serve, having to save up to five break points until 5-5. Nonetheless, following Murphy's law, it was Coco who eventually broke to lead 6-5. Yet, her joy was short-lived as Svitolina quickly broke back, forcing the tiebreak.

At that moment, nerves played a critical role, and Elina faltered at 3-4, losing her two service points and conceding three set points that Gauff capitalized on, winning the second set and pushing the match to the deciding set after intense competition.

Svitolina recovers and wins for the third time in Rome

Despite Gauff being on the brink of another final defeat, it was Svitolina who struck first, breaking the American player's serve and consolidating the break to take a 4-2 lead, which ultimately proved decisive. In fact, the Ukrainian player secured another break, as a result of the American player completely losing her momentum.

This time, Svitolina held her nerve, closing out the final at 6-2 and proving why she is in one of the best form phases of her career. The former world number three had not reached a final since the WTA 1000 Dubai, where she lost to Jessica Pegula, so this time she has redeemed herself to win her first significant title of the season and make a statement.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Svitolina tumba a Gauff y reina por tercera vez en el WTA Roma