The world No.1 against her runner-up in the world ranking: the hierarchy was respected in the WTA 1000 tournament in Rome after the qualification Thursday evening of Aryna Sabalenka who will challenge Iga Swiateks on Saturday in the final.
Sabalenka, 2nd in the world, outclassed (7-5, 6-2) the American Danielle Collins (15th), a player in form at the moment who had won nineteen of her last twenty matches before this semi-final.
The Belarusian, uncompromising on her serve, no longer seemed disturbed by the back pain which had been bothering her for two matches.
She will meet for the title her great rival, Iga Swiatek who dominated earlier in the day the American Coco Gauff, 3rd in the world, 6-4, 6-3.
As a result of their confrontations, the Polish world No. 1, who has already won three titles in 2024 for a total of twenty in her career, largely leads with seven successes, including one this year in the semi-finals in Madrid, compared to three for Sabalenka. .
