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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