Sports

Iga Swiatek, Defending French Open Champion, Serves Up Triple Crown Dream With Italian Open Win - In Pics

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is chasing a rare feat in the WTA tour. On Sunday, the Polish superstar defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 6-2, 6-3 in the final of the Italian Open to claim back-to-back WTA 1000 titles on clay. Come June 7, the 22-year-old from Warsaw can complete the Triple Crown at Roland Garros by defending the French Open title. World no. 2 Sabalenka, meanwhile, is looking forward to another final against Swiatek. "I hope, we're going to make it to the final of Roland Garros and I'll get you there," Sabalenka said after their Rome clash.

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Tennis
Iga Swiatek Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, holds her trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico, Saturday, May 18, 2024. Swiatek won 6-2/6-3.

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Iga Swiatek
Aryna Sabalenka Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Winner Iga Swiatek, of Poland, right, and second placed Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, pose with their awards after the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico. Swiatek won 6-2/6-3.

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Italy Tennis Open
Iga Swiatek, of Poland Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Iga Swiatek, of Poland, poses with her trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico. Swiatek won 6-2/6-3.

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Italian Open Tennis Tournament
Iga Swiatek Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Iga Swiatek, of Poland, celebrates after defeating Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, in the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico. Swiatek won 6-2/6-3.

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Iga Swiatek, of Poland
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, reacts during her Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Iga Swiatek, of Poland, at Rome's Foro Italico.

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Italy Tennis Open
Italian Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Iga Swiatek, of Poland,returns with a backhand to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico.

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Italy Tennis Open
Italian Open Tennis Tournament Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, returns the ball to Iga Swiatek, of Poland, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico

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Aryna Sabalenka vs Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek vs Aryna Sabalenka Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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A fan holds a Polish flag with a message for Iga Swiatek, of Poland, during her Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, at Rome's Foro Italico.

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Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus
Iga Swiatek, of Poland Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Iga Swiatek, of Poland, serves to Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, during the Italian Open tennis tournament final match at Rome's Foro Italico.

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Italian Open tennis tournament final
Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus Photo: AP/Alessandra Tarantino
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Aryna Sabalenka, of Belarus, eyes the ball during her Italian Open tennis tournament final match against Iga Swiatek, of Poland, at Rome's Foro Italico.