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Tennis fans on the internet recently expressed their excitement on Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka's meeting in the 2024 Italian Open final scheduled for Saturday, May 18, just days after the two played for the title at the Madrid Open. The fans likened Swiatek and Sabalenka's rivalry to that of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
In Rome, Iga Swiatek overcame Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-3 in the semifinal on Thursday, May 16, after having defeated the likes of Bernarda Pera, Yulia Putintseva, Angelique Kerber, and Madison Keys, all in straight sets.
Aryna Sabalenka downed Danielle Collins 7-5, 6-2 in her semifinal effort on Thursday after sidelining injury concerns. In the previous rounds in Rome, the Belarusian beat Katie Volynets, Dayana Yastremska, Elina Svitolina, and Jelena Ostapenko.
This will notably be Swiatek and Sabalenka's second title clash in a fortnight as the two had collided for a thriller at the 2024 Madrid Open a few days back. Swiatek notably came out on top 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7) after a grueling battle that lasted for three hours and 14 minutes.
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Tennis fans expressed their excitement over the showdown between the World No. 1 and 2. Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka's consistency reminded one fan of Nadal and Djokovic regularly facing each other on the ATP tour in their 59-match-long rivalry. The men have played 29 finals across different tournaments over the years.
"We have the new Nadal Djokovic final," the fan wrote.
"Funnily enough Iga’s favorite of the big 3 is obviously Nadal and I’m pretty sure Saba’s is Novak lol. So checks out there," wrote another.
Here are a few more fan reactions on Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka locking horns in the Italian Open final.
"I have watched more WTA matches than ATP in the last 2 tournament... I don’t think it ever happened before, can’t wait for the final," a fan wrote.
"I'm already stressed for the final. Last time it made me age 5 years," a fan commented.
"Iga-Aryna rematch just two weeks after Madrid, hope it’s as good as the last one," a fan stated.
"Omg we are gonna have another epic battle, WE ARE EATING GOOD RN," a fan added.
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have played four finals against each other
Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have met on the court ten times with the former leading the head-to-head tally 7-3. Four of their meetings have come in finals.
The two played their first final at the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix where Swiatek prevailed with a 6-2, 6-2 win. They then came together for a rematch at Stuttgart the following year and the four-time Grand Slam champion claimed another title registering a 6-3, 6-4 victory.
A few months later in 2023, the two-time Ausralian Open champion hit back at Iga Swiatek by defeating her 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 in the summit clash of the Madrid Open. The World No. 1, however, extended her lead in the finals-specific head-to-head record to 3-1 by overcoming Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid this year.
