Jasmine Paolini etched her name into tennis history on Saturday, becoming the first Italian woman in nearly four decades to win the Italian Open, a WTA 1000 event. The 29-year-old stunned Coco Gauff with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory in front of an electric home crowd at the Foro Italico. The triumph marks Paolini’s second WTA 1000 title, following her breakthrough win in Dubai last year.
With this win, Paolini not only captured a prestigious title but also ignited hopes ahead of Roland Garros, where she will enter the tournament ranked world No. 4, the highest ranking of her career. The Rome victory further cements her status as one of the most exciting late bloomers in women’s tennis.
Paolini Makes History on Home Soil
The last Italian woman to lift the trophy in Rome was Raffaella Reggi in 1985. Nearly 40 years later, Paolini ended that drought in stunning fashion, dispatching the higher-ranked Gauff in straight sets. The packed center court erupted in celebration as Paolini secured the final point, dancing with unfiltered joy. Some fans were moved to tears after what she described as a “dream week.”
“This is such an emotional moment for me,” Paolini told reporters. “Every time I step on the court, I do it with joy, passion, and calm. I try to have fun and stay grounded. I love what I do, and that makes me incredibly lucky.”
Her positivity translated into flawless tennis on the clay courts. With a mix of precision, smart shot selection, and relentless energy, Paolini outplayed Gauff, who struggled to find rhythm throughout the match.
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Coco Gauff, 20, entered the match as the favorite, but she was far from her best. The American hit 55 unforced errors and committed seven double faults—numbers that significantly contributed to her defeat. Gauff’s frustration was visible, starting with a double fault on the very first point of the match. Her inconsistency, combined with Paolini’s solid performance, made for a surprisingly one-sided contest.
“Hopefully I can reach the final at Roland Garros and maybe ‘third time lucky’ is real,” Gauff said afterward. “If I can play better there, I know I have a shot.”
Despite the loss, Gauff will still head into the French Open as the world No. 2. But Paolini’s form and growing confidence make her a serious contender on the Paris clay.
Paolini Targets Double Glory in Rome
Jasmine’s dream week” isn’t over yet. She’s also competing in the women’s doubles final alongside fellow Italian Sara Errani. The duo will face Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in Sunday’s showdown. A win would make Paolini the first player to secure both singles and doubles titles at the Italian Open since Monica Seles in 1990.
Their doubles success wouldn’t come as a surprise. Paolini and Errani recently made history by helping Italy win its first Olympic gold medal in tennis during the Paris Games last year. If they prevail in Rome, it would be another crowning moment for Italian tennis.
Paolini’s triumph has added fuel to an already celebratory mood in Italian tennis. Her compatriot Jannik Sinner is set to compete in the men’s singles final against Carlos Alcaraz, creating the possibility of an unprecedented Italian sweep of titles in Rome.
Jasmine is now the oldest woman to win her first Rome title in the Open Era—an inspiring feat for a player who has taken a longer road to the top. Her late bloom and perseverance are quickly becoming central to her legend.
Jasmine journey from a promising junior to a late-blooming star is capturing the imagination of fans around the world. Her win over Gauff showcases not only her technical skills but also her mental toughness and clarity of purpose on court. With her ranking rising to world No. 4 and confidence peaking, Paolini is now a genuine threat heading into Roland Garros.
As Italy celebrates a long-awaited home victory, the tennis world watches closely. Jasmine Paolini isn’t just a feel-good story—she’s now a major player on the WTA Tour, with eyes firmly set on a Grand Slam title.
Source- EWN