Svitolina upsets Gauff to win Italian Open thriller

Ukraine's Elina Svitolina battled to a third Italian Open title following a thrilling three-set win against Coco Gauff in the final.

The 31-year-old fought back from 4-2 down to win the first set and, despite losing the second on a tie-break, Svitolina responded to claim the decider for a 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-2 victory.

Her route to success in Rome has involved earning notable three-set wins against world number two Elena Rybakina, number three Iga Swiatek and now Gauff, who is ranked fourth.

Svitolina, whose previous victories in the tournament came in 2017 and 2018, said: "It's very hard to believe it's been eight years since I had this trophy and very pleased with the two weeks here."

The world number 10 enjoyed a third successive victory against Gauff, having beaten the American in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and semi-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships.

"Another tough battle between us," admitted Gauff, who also finished runner-up in Rome last year, but then went on to win the French Open. "I'm on the other side but hopefully one of these days I can get over that."

She also praised Svitolina for her impressive run against more favoured opponents as she added: "You had an incredible tournament - a lot of long matches against great players so congratulations to you and your team."

Svitolina was broken in the first and fifth games as she found herself 4-2 down in the opening set before she recovered to take a 5-4 lead.

A brilliant forehand down the line in the 10th game gave her a set point and she took it when Gauff double-faulted.

The second set was in contrast to the opener, with the American primarily on the defensive and, even though she failed to serve out for the set at 6-5 up, she won the tie-break to level the match.

Svitolina proved stronger in the third set as she broke her rival's serve in the fifth and seventh games before serving out to win in two hours 49 minutes.