Swiatek swats Sabalenka to win third Rome title

Iga Swiatek won the Rome Masters for the third time in four years on Saturday, dismissing Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3 in 90 minutes.

The Pole triumphed in a meeting between the world numbers one and two to run her record over Sabalenka to 8-3.

Victory marked the ninth finals win in a row for Swiatek who last lost a title match in Madrid 13 months ago to Sabalenka.

Swiatek saved all five break points she faced in her first service game of the set to stay alive and then ran through the gears to claim victory as she saved all seven break points she faced.

The winner joked in the trophy ceremony that she was half expecting a surprise inside the cup:

“Hopefully if I win next time, there’s going to be a tiramisu here. I’m still waiting.” 

Swiatek now owns 21 WTA trophies, including six at the Masters 1000 level and has now won four this season.

Swiatek also completed the rare Madrid-Rome clay Masters doubles, also achieved by Serena Williams here in 2013.

“It wasn’t the final I really expected,” Sabalenka said. “I didn’t play my best at all.

“But I’m going to be positive after these couple of weeks. I went through so many things.

“I’m proud that I was able to, no matter what, stay there, to keep winning, to keep fighting my way to the final.

“Even though it didn’t go my way, I’m still happy with the result here in Rome.”

Main photo:- Iga Swiatek lifts Rome Masters Trophy – by WTATour.com