Elina Svitolina's Achievements on the WTA Tour
Ukrainian tennis star Elina Svitolina has tied Serena Williams with 24 victories at the WTA 1000 event in Rome, marking a significant milestone in her career. She claimed the prestigious title twice, winning in both 2017 and 2018. Additionally, she put together an impressive 11-match winning streak at the tournament, which began in 2017.
In 2026, Svitolina advanced to the semifinals by defeating world No. 2 Elena Rybakina. This victory marked her fifth win of the season against a top-10 opponent. She became only the fourth player to secure a comeback win over Rybakina since 2025. The Rome semifinal appearance was the 15th of her career at the WTA 1000 level.
Competition and Preparation for Roland Garros
Her semifinal opponent will be world No. 3 Iga Swiatek, whom Svitolina has faced six times, winning two of those matches. Their most recent encounter ended in Svitolina's favor during the Indian Wells quarterfinals in March 2026.
The semifinal match is scheduled for May 14. Notably, Svitolina has matched her personal best from 2017 by reaching her third WTA 1000 semifinal of the season. This year, she has also won both WTA quarterfinal matchups she played, in Dubai and Indian Wells.
Among players with the most wins at the Rome WTA 1000, Svitolina currently holds the joint 3rd-4th position. The leaders are:
- Victoria Azarenka with 27 wins
- Iga Swiatek with 25 wins
- Maria Sharapova with 23 wins
Other Ukrainian players who qualified for the main draw of Roland Garros 2026 include Marta Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska, Yuliia Starodubtseva, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Anhelina Kalinina, and Daria Snigur. The French Open will run from May 24 to June 7.
Svitolina's success in Rome highlights her consistency and ability to compete at the highest level against the world's best players. Reaching the semifinals strengthens her global ranking and could positively impact her preparation for upcoming tournaments, especially Roland Garros. This event represents a key opportunity for the Ukrainian player to showcase her potential on a major stage.
Despite her recent triumphs, Svitolina faced a surprising setback in Madrid, marking the end of her impressive unbeaten streak that lasted for eight months. This unexpected exit raises questions about her performance as she prepares for the upcoming French Open. To find out more about Svitolina's Madrid exit and its implications, read our detailed coverage here.