Jasmine Paolini has become the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the Internazionali d’Italia after beating a lacklustre Coco Gauff in straight sets on Saturday.
The 29-year-old charged her way to a 6-4, 6-2, victory in front of a highly animated audience that included the country’s president, Sergio Mattarella. Paolini capitalised on a series of uncharacteristic mistakes from Gauff, who was far from her best on the court. The American produced 55 unforced errors and won only 41% of her second service points.
In contrast, Paolini showed little nerves throughout the final of the biggest tennis tournament staged in her country. Producing 12 winners during the clash and breaking her rival five times. It is the second time this year that she has beaten Gauff on the clay after their clash in Stuttgart, which she also won in straight sets (6-4, 6-3).
“It’s amazing. It’s a dream,” Paolini said of her victory during an interview with Sky Sports Tennis.
“I was coming to this tournament when I was a kid and now I’m holding the trophy; it’s unbelievable.
“Today is a special day for me. I never played so well here, I have to say. Never won many matches, but this year is something changed and it’s great.”
Paolini is the first Italian woman to win multiple WTA 1000 events since the category was created. She also won the Dubai Tennis Championships last year. She is also the oldest woman to win her maiden women’s singles trophy at the Italian Open during the Open Era.
The triumphant campaign saw Paolini drop only one set in six matches played in the tournament, which was against Diana Shnaider in the quarter-finals. She has also beaten Lulu Sun, Ons Jabeur, Jelena Ostapenko and Peyton Sterns.
“Today was the best match I played in Rome,” said Paolini.
“I was controlling the ball really well. I was tactically very focused and the plan was clear.”
As for Gauff, it is the second tournament in a row where she has reached the final before falling short. In Madrid, she was denied the title by world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. Her journey in Rome featured a marathon semi-final win over Zheng Qinwen that lasted a staggering three hours and 32 minutes on Friday evening. This was the longest match of her professional career, which may have had an impact on the level of her tennis played in the final.
“I’ve had a great time here in Rome,” said Gauff.
“I lost in the semis twice, so I was happy to make it to the final.
“Congratulations, Jasmine. It’s an incredible achievement. You’re an incredible person and player, and it’s always tough playing you.”
As a result of her triumph, Paolini will rise to fourth in the WTA rankings on Monday and overtake Iga Swiatek, who will be down to fifth ahead of her French Open title defence.
Paolini will return to action tomorrow to play in the doubles final alongside Sara Errani. Should she also win that, she will become the first woman since Monica Seles (1990) to win both events in the same year.
“We have to play one more match,” she said.
“I have to stay focused and to try to make another good performance tomorrow.”
