Tennis News:

BNL d’ Italia, Rome

Written by Edda Bevilacqua

Elina Svitolina Wins Women’s Title at Rome 

Elina Svitolina of Ukraine defeated Coco Gauff of the United States in three sets, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2, to capture the Italian Open title in Rome for the third time in her career, having previously won in 2017 and 2018. It was her first title there in eight years since marrying Gael Monfils and becoming a mother.

Svitolina won the first set easily, but Coco Gauff leveled the match in a second set tiebreak. In the third set, Svitolina raced out to a 5-2 lead, then won the match with a backhand winner. With her win at Rome, Svitolina improved her career record over Coco Gauff to 4-2. She has now defeated Gauff in three tournaments in 2026: the Australian Open, Dubai and Rome. 

Jannik Sinner Wins Rome Title to Make Tennis History

Jannik Sinner of Italy defeated Norway’s Casper Ruud in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, to take the BNL d’Italia Open title in Rome. His victory was historic in many ways. Sinner became the first Italian man to win the title since Adriano Panatta won in 1976. He told Panatta, who was in the audience, “Adriano, after 50 years, we’ve won back a very important trophy.”

Additionally, with his victory in Rome, Sinner has become the first man since Novak Djokovic to capture all nine Masters 1000 titles and the youngest, at age 24, to do so. (Novak Djokovic won the last of his Masters 1000 titles at Cincinnati in 2018). In the run-up to the French Open, the only Major championship he has not yet won, Sinner has a 17-0 record on clay. In the absence of Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Sinner looks to be the favorite to capture the clay court Major at Roland Garros.