Swiatek to face ex-champ Pliskova in Rome final

French Open champion Iga Swiatek warned she was “ready for anyone” as she takes on former winner Karolina Pliskova in the Italian Open final on Sunday.

Ex-world No 1 Pliskova saw off Croatia’s Petra Martic 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 to return to the final of a tournament she won in 2019 and finished runner-up last year.

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Ninth seed Pliskova is the only top 10 player remaining but faces a battle with 19-year-old Swiatek, who continued her Roland Garros warm-up with back-to-back wins on Saturday.

Swiatek first ousted fifth seed Elina Svitolina, a two-time Rome winner, 6-2, 7-5 in 1hr 36min in their quarterfinal match which had been pushed back from Friday because of rain.

She then saw off 17-year-old American Coco Gauff 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 in the semifinals in 1hr 45min.

“I knew it was going to be tough,” said the 15th-seed of her marathon day.

“I played with no expectations. I was taking it step by step.

“Beating Elina shows that my game is here, I’m ready for anyone. It really gave me a confidence boost.

“If my game is going to be there tomorrow, I can do anything.”