Defending champion Iga Swiatek hammers Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-1 to reach Italian Open final and extend winning streak

Defending champion Iga Swiatek thrashed Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-1 to reach the final of the Italian Open in Rome. Swiatek was forced to withdraw from the Madrid Open with a shoulder injury in April but the world number one was at her very best against her Belarussian opponent on Saturday.

Ad/> The Pole was unbeatable from the baseline and punished Sabalenka's second serve with a series of lethal forehand winners. WTA RomeSwiatek now 26 unbeaten, sinks Andreescu to reach semi-finalsA DAY AGO Djokovic seals 999th career win in clay classic against FAA, Tsitsipas to play Zverev Swiatek stumbles over Nadal quiz, Ruud wants Alcaraz revenge — Rome Diary Mauresmo says players will face sanctions for pro-Putin statements at French Open Sabalenka saved a match point at 5-1 down, but Swiatek grabbed a fourth break of serve to take the match.

She extends her winning streak to 27 matches, just nine off Venus Williams' record streak of 36. Swiatek will face either Ons Jabeur or Daria Kasatkina in the final, with the two playing their own semi-final later on Saturday.