Elena Rybakina will vie for Italian Open glory against Anhelina Kalinina following respective semi-final victories for the pair on Friday.
Ukrainian 30th seed Kalinina bested Russian Veronika Kudermetova 7-5 5-7 6-2, before Rybakina saw off Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets 6-2 6-4.
Kalinina harnessed every ounce of her resilience under pressure in her opening exchanges against Kudermetova, saving no fewer than eight break points before breaking to love herself in the seventh game.
Kudermetova finally hit back at the ninth attempt while Kalinina was serving for the set, but the Russian could not build on that break and lost the next two games en route to a first-set reverse.
Lightning struck twice for Kalinina in the second set, as she established a two-game lead and had the chance to serve out the match, but she once again failed to do so as Kudermetova produced an inspired fightback.
Staring down the barrel of elimination at 5-3 down, Kudermetova strung together a four-game winning streak to force a third set, but her grit ultimately proved futile, as Kalinina quickly earned the double break for a 4-0 lead in the decider and took her first match point with a cross-court forehand.
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The 26-year-old - who is still waiting for her maiden WTA title - has become the lowest-ranked player in 37 years to reach the Italian Open final at number 47, and she dedicated her win to Ukraine after eliminating her Russian opponent as conflict continues to rage in Eastern Europe.
"It's really important to win every match because of what Ukraine goes through. I really hope that I can give a small light and some positive emotions for my country," Kalinina said on the court.
Following the day's first semi-final, the heavens opened with Rybakina and Ostapenko took to the court, but the reigning Wimbledon champion was the beneficiary of such adverse weather on the clay.
A relatively straightforward opener saw Rybakina break in the first and fifth game before converting her fourth set point, albeit after having to save three break points while serving for the opener.
However, Ostapenko began to build up a head of steam with an early break in the second for a 3-0 lead, but play was delayed in the sixth game with the Latvian 4-2 up in the set and 15-40 down on serve.
After a prolonged hiatus, a revitalised Rybakina embarked on a four-game winning sequence to turn the second set around and advance to her fourth WTA final of the 2023 season.
Ben Knapton
