Iga Swiatek sets up showdown with Karolina Pliskova in Italian Open final

Kevin Palmer
Iga Swiatek fist pump

Iga Swiatek saw off Coco Gauff to set up an enticing Italian Open final showdown with Karolina Pliskova.

French Open champions Swiatek came through a tiring Saturday that saw see off Elina Svitolina 6-2, 7-5 in her quarter-final, before she wrapped up a 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win against Gauff.

Earlier, Pliskova overcame Petra Martic 6-1, 3-6, 6-2, as she was pushed all the way in a gripping battle.

“I think the first and third set, they were super solid for me, playing the game I want to play, not really going for crazy shots, but super solid,” Pliskova told the press, after booking her return trip to the final. “Quite good serve today. I think it was a good match.

“I hope I will feel better, and maybe more relaxed a bit, to go to the other tournaments in the next couple weeks, months, with this kind of result.

“With having the matches I had this week, overcoming some situations which I had this week, and beating some players: Martic, for example, I never beat on clay. For sure this gives me some strength.”

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