Svitolina, Gritty As Ever, Rallies Past Rybakina in Rome

Prior to Wednesday night’s quarterfinal tilt in Rome, Elina Svitolina had won all five WTA quarterfinals she had contested in 2026, but none of them had come against a force quite like World No. 2 Elena Rybakina.

Different opponent, same result. Make it six out of six for Svitolina.

Two-time Rome champion Svitolina produced another resilient performance on Wednesday, rallying for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory to book her place in the semifinals at the Foro Italico.

“It’s really special to have these kinds of moments on court,” said Svitolina, currently the highest-ranked mother on the WTA Tour. “Coming back to the Top 10, playing big matches, winning them, it’s a really precious feeling. [I want to] continue and go for more.”

The 31-year-old will now turn her attention to a blockbuster semifinal against three-time Rome champion Iga Swiatek.

Swiatek, who dismantled Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-2, on Wednesday, improved to 25-3 lifetime at the Foro Italico. Svitolina, champion in Rome in 2017 and 2018, now owns a 24-9 career record at the event.

Svitolina has won two of her six meetings with Swiatek, though she lost both of their previous clay-court encounters in straight sets.

Wednesday’s clash began firmly on Rybakina’s racquet. The Kazakh earned 11 break points in the opening set and converted twice, more than enough to race to a 6-2 advantage.

But the match gradually shifted in Svitolina’s favor as the Ukrainian adjusted her court positioning and extended the rallies, forcing Rybakina into increasingly physical exchanges. Over time, the tactic began to wear down the two-time major champion.

Facing constant pressure in the second set, Svitolina walked a tightrope brilliantly, saving all seven break points she faced while claiming the 52-minute set to force a decider. It was a magnificent display of mental resilience, and the Ukrainian carried that momentum straight into the third set with an immediate break of serve.

She broke again for a 3-0 lead, converting her fourth break point of the game when a Rybakina forehand drifted wide. Rybakina recovered one of the breaks, but she never moved within striking distance as Svitolina sealed the victory with a service winner after two hours and 33 minutes.