Elina Svitolina Advances to Italian Open Final, Eyes Third Title Amid Post-Pregnancy Return

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina defeated Iga Swiatek 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 in the semifinal of the 2026 Italian Open on May 15. The victory moves Svitolina into the championship match on May 16, where she will face two-time Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff.

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Svitolina gave birth to daughter Skai in 2022 and has been competing on the tour during the postpartum phase. The Rome final marks her first appearance in an Italian Open final since 2018, when she captured back-to-back titles. Her resurgence follows a period of training after childbirth.

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• Elina Svitolina – 31-year-old Ukrainian, two-time Rome champion.

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• Coco Gauff – two-time Grand Slam champion.

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• Gaël Monfils – Svitolina’s husband, age 39, retiring after the French Open with a wildcard for his final major.

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Semifinal score: 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 over Swiatek. Prior Italian Open titles: 2017, 2018. Final date: May 16, 2026. Monfils, age 39, will compete in his final major at Roland Garros.

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A third Italian Open crown would place Svitolina among a select group of women with multiple titles at the event, underscoring the rarity of a high-level comeback after childbirth. The simultaneous holding of men’s and women’s singles titles by the Svitolina-Monfils couple at the 2026 ASB Classic further highlights a historic partnership in professional tennis. Monfils’s retirement adds a personal milestone that intersects with Svitolina’s competitive ambitions.

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Svitolina highlighted the personal significance of another Rome title while noting she is managing expectations and feels she has little at stake. She described a strategic approach for the upcoming match against Gauff, mentioning a tailored game plan without revealing details. On her husband’s future, she said Monfils intends to work in finance after retiring and praised his active role at home. Monfils confirmed his plan to retire after the French Open, expressing a desire to end his career on his own terms.

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• “[It] will mean the world for me,” — Elina Svitolina, Ukrainian tennis player.

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• “But I try not to put any kind of pressure on me. I have nothing really to lose.” — Elina Svitolina, Ukrainian tennis player.

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• “I definitely have a game plan,” — Elina Svitolina, Ukrainian tennis player.

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• “He’s going to be in finance,” — Elina Svitolina, Ukrainian tennis player.

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• “Our last match was something out of this world. Definitely, I’m gonna rewatch that to find the ways, some tactics. First, I want to enjoy this win tonight. Tomorrow it’s a day off, so I can rest, prepare, and be ready for the final.” — Elina Svitolina, Ukrainian tennis player.

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The championship match between Svitolina and Gauff will be contested on May 16. Monfils will prepare for his final Grand Slam appearance at Roland Garros later in May.

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