Aryna Sabalenka is planning to make big change next time she faces Iga Swiatek after Italian Open defeat

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Aryna Sabalenka vows to make a change to her game after losing the Italian Open final.

The Belarusian once again came up short against Iga Swiatek as she was defeated 2-6, 3-6 in the championship match.

The World Number One was in sparkling form as she swept aside the Australian Open champion to claim the Madrid and Rome double for the first time in her career.

The 26-year-old was desperate to win her first title in the Italian capital and enter Roland Garros on a winning run, but as many have found out, beating Swiatek on clay is a monumental challenge.

Aryna Sabalenka knows what she must change before playing Iga Swiatek again

Sabalenka can face Swiatek again as early as the upcoming French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year.

The World Number Two has now lost eight of her 11 meetings with the reigning Roland Garros champion, and that is something she wants to put right.

Following the Italian Open final, Sabalenka explained one of Swiatek’s strengths and what she must do in response.

“I know that she’s moving well and I have to stay aggressive, I have to keep pushing,” she told reporters. “There is little chance that she’s going to give me an easy point. Maybe knowing that, it makes me rush things a little bit.

“I guess that’s what I’m going to try to do differently next time when I’m playing against her, not rush things, trust my game, and know that I don’t have to overdo stuff to get those key points.”

How did Aryna Sabalenka reach her first Italian Open final?

At the Madrid Open, five of Sabalenka’s six matches went to three sets. She was determined to have a smoother route through the Italian Open field, but it still came with its challenges.

Sabalenka came from a set down to defeat Katie Volynets in her opening match and saved match points to beat Elina Svitolina in round four.

But dominant performances followed against Jelena Ostapenko and Danielle Collins, two of the tour’s most dangerous players.

Many thought Sabalenka would carry this form into the final, but Swiatek imposed her will from the start and needed just an hour and a half to complete a straight set victory.