Staggering Serena Williams detail in Iga Swiatek's historic run

Iga Swiatek has equalled Serena Williams' second-longest winning streak with her 27th-consecutive victory to advance to the Italian Open final.

World No.1 Swiatek routed Aryna Sabalenka 6-2 6-1 in the semi-finals in Rome on Saturday, recording her 27th win in a row.

It is the longest streak by a female player since Williams also won 27-straight throughout 2014 and 2015.

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Serena also won 34 in a row between 2012 and 2013, while Venus Williams won 35 in 2000.

However they're not in the same league as the all-time longest streak - Martina Navratilova's 74-consecutive wins in 1984.

"I'm just constantly surprising myself that I can do better and better," Swiatek said.

"I feel like I actually can believe now that the sky's the limit. That's the fun part."

Aiming to defend her title in Rome in Sunday's final, Swiatek will face another player on a run - Tunisian trailblazer Ons Jabeur.

Jabeur saved a match point on the way to beating Daria Kasatkina 6-4 1-6 7-5 for her 11th-consecutive victory after lifting the Madrid Open trophy last week.

Seeking to win her fifth-straight tournament, Swiatek dominated the eighth-ranked Sabalenka with power, consistency and finesse.

While she struggled with her serve at times, the Pole was able to consistently crush both forehand and backhand winners on the slow, red clay court at the Foro Italico.

The 20-year-old also hit a delicate backhand half-volley winner in the final game of the first set.

Swiatek had the same number of winners and unforced errors (15), while Sabalenka produced just eight winners and had a whopping 31 unforced errors.

"Today I felt like I really understood the clay," Swiatek said.

The hard-hitting Sabalenka took a medical timeout late in the second set and had her back treated.

When it was over, she waved her arms to urge the crowd to cheer louder for her.

Iga Swiatek's incredible winning streak

Swiatek, who was a surprise champion at the French Open in 2020, will be the overwhelming favourite to add a second title at Roland Garros when the year's second grand slam starts next weekend.

Her remarkable run has coincided with the shock retirement of former World No.1 Ash Barty, with Swiatek separating herself from the rest of the WTA field.

With more than half the season still to go, Swiatek has already won as many matches this year (36) as she did in all of 2021.

She also became the seventh player to reach two finals in Rome before turning 21, joining Chris Evert, Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini, Monica Seles, Martina Hingis and Venus Williams.

Jabeur is aiming to become the third player to win the Madrid and Rome titles in the same year after Dinara Safina in 2009 and Serena Williams in 2013.

"It means a lot to me, especially mentally, that I could come back from a match point and prove that I did that today," Jabeur said.

"Hopefully I can keep being stronger mentally, because I know [the final] is all about mental [strength].

"I knew that physically I could handle anything. Believing that I could play even four weeks in a row, I can do it. I am exhausted, yes, but it's part of my job.

"It's going to help me push more. There is only one match left. I gave it all from the first round, now I should really continue giving my best."

with agencies

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