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The women's singles final and the men's doubles semifinals take centrestage on Day 12 of the 2024 Italian Open on Saturday.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka, the tour's top-two ranked players, face off in the summit clash. The two engaged in a thrilling three-set tussle two weeks ago in Madrid, with the Pole coming out on top to claim her first title at the venue.
This is the first time in WTA history that the Madrid Open and the Italian Open finals will have the same set of finalists. Additionally, this is the first time since 2013 when the same two players will contest consecutive finals at the WTA 1000 level.
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Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova were the last two players to do so. Williams beat Sharapova in the Miami Open and Madrid Open finals in 2013.
Swiatek is gunning for the third title in Rome and to become the first player since Williams in 2013 to do the Madrid-Rome double. Sabalenka, meanwhile, is eyeing her first title at the Italian Open.
Meanwhile, home favorites Andrea Vavassori and Simone Bolelli will aim to reach the men's doubles final over Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini have already made the home fans happy by reaching the women's doubles final, and now the men will aim to do the same.
Elsewhere, Ben Shelton and Alexander Bublik's singles campaign in Rome came to an early end. However, the two teamed up to compete in doubles and have reached the semifinals, where they will take on top seeds Horacio Zeballos and Marcel Granollers.
On that note, here's a look at the schedule for Day 12 of the Italian Open:
Schedule for Day 12 of the Italian Open (May 18)
Centre Court
Starting at 12:00 p.m. local time: Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic vs Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori
Followed by: (1) Horacio Zeballos/Marcel Granollers vs Alexander Bublik/Ben Shelton
Not before 5:00 p.m. local time: (1) Iga Swiatek vs (2) Aryna Sabalenka
Where to watch Italian Open 2024?
Viewers from the following countries can keep up with the action happening at the tournament on the respective channels and sites:
USA - Tennis Channel
UK - Sky Sports
Australia - beIN Sports
Canada - TSN
India - Sony Sports (ATP) and Tennis Channel (WTA)
For more information regarding the broadcast of matches, click here.
Italian Open 2024 - Match Timings
The first match on Centre Court will begin at 12 noon local time. The match timings for fans in the US, UK, Canada and India for Day 12 of the tournament are as follows:
