Paolini ends wait for home winner of Italian Open

Monday, 19 May 2025 00:59 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Jasmine Paolini

Jasmine Paolini produced a scintillating display as she blew away Coco Gauff in straight sets to end a 40-year wait for a home winner of the Women’s Singles at the Italian Open.

Roared on by a partisan crowd at the Foro Italico in Rome, including Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Paolini triumphed 6-4 6-2 against Gauff of the United States.

Paolini, who was a surprise finalist at the French Open and Wimbledon last year, wrapped up victory on the clay in one hour and 29 minutes.

The 29-year-old was the first Italian woman to win the tournament since Raffaella Reggi in 1985 and only the fourth overall since its inception in 1930.

“It doesn’t seem real. It’s incredible to have the trophy in my hands. I’m so emotional,” Paolini said. “I came here as a kid to watch this tournament so to lift the trophy is beyond what I ever dreamed of.”

Victory means she will move up a place to fourth in the world rankings and obtain a top-four seeding for the French Open, which begins next weekend.

She and Sara Errani take on Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in the Women’s Doubles final.

Monica Seles was the last woman to win the singles and doubles tournaments in Rome in 1990, while the only player to do so in a WTA 1000 series tournament was Vera Zvonareva at Indian Wells in 2009.