Rome 2019: Final Countdown

Final Feels! Forza! 💪👊🙌🇮🇹😁@WTA @iloveellesse #Ellesse pic.twitter.com/ZS0F2gI5da

— Johanna Konta (@JohannaKonta) May 18, 2019

MATCH POINTS

Johanna Konta is seeking a second Top 5 victory in two days, having previously had none since beating Simona Halep at Wimbledon in 2017.

Karolina Pliskova is the first Czech woman to reach the final in Rome since 1982, when Hana Mandlikova lost to Chris Evert.

Konta is bidding to win her fourth career title, while Pliskova is seeking her 13th. The Czech has won 12 of her previous 24 finals, while Konta has taken three of her eight.

Victory in the semi-final over Maria Sakkari was Pliskova's 26th win of 2019 - only Petra Kvitova (28) has more this year.

The last British winner of the event came back in 1971, when Virgina Wade beat Helga Niessen Masthoff 6-4, 6-4.

Pliskova has won four of the previous five meetings of the pair. The Czech prevailed in their first three clashes before Konta hit back in Beijing in 2016. Pliskova beat the Briton for a fourth time in Eastbourne the following year.

PHOTOS: Relive the last decade of winners from Rome

Pliskova will overtake Petra Kvitova as Czech No.1 in the new rankings this week, and reach at least World No.4. Victory over Konta on Sunday would take Pliskova up to World No.2.

Konta will re-enter the top 40 following her run to the final, moving to at least World No.26. A win over Pliskova would take her up to No.22.

Just three of the last 13 finals in Rome have gone to three sets.

Johanna Konta has dropped three sets en route to Sunday's showpiece, while Pliskova has dropped just two, from one less match.

Pliskova has not faced a seed all week in Rome, while Konta has overcome seventh seed Sloane Stephens and sixth seed Kiki Bertens.

WEATHER

A mixture of sunshine and showers but brightening up towards late afternoon. Maximum temperatures: 17C/63F

WTA Staff