Internazionali BNL d’Italia—Rome, Italy

Swiatek Defeats Sabalenka to Win 2024 Italian Open

World No. 1 and clay-court specialist Iga Swiatek claimed the Italian Open title on Saturday in Rome, Italy, defeating No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3.

In a match that lasted one hour and 29 minutes, Swiatek struck one ace, won 74 percent of her first serve points, and broke serve on seven occasions.

Improving to 8-3 against Sabalenka in lifetime meetings, Swiatek also recently defeated the Belarusian in the finals of the Madrid Open.

Capturing four titles on the year, Swiatek now owns 21 career titles. The 22-year-old will enter Roland Garros next week as the unanimous favourite to win her fourth title in Paris.

Sabalenka, who was eyeing her second title in 2024 and 15th overall, continues to prove that her game is well equipped to deal with any surface on Tour.

Men’s Final: Zverev vs. Jarry

Sunday’s culminating men’s final will feature No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev taking on No. 21 seed Nicolas Jarry.

Zverev, who will contest his third final in Rome, won the event in 2017. The 27-year-old German needed three sets to dismiss Alejandro Tabilo in the semifinals and will take a 4-2 head-to-head lead against Jarry into the championship match.

Jarry continues to march up the ATP Tour rankings, currently sitting at No. 17 in the world.

Sunday’s encounter will be the final major tune up event before the start of the French Open. The year’s second Major gets underway with qualifying matches on Monday in Paris, France.

Watch all the action live this week from Rome on Tennis TV.