JASMINE Paolini created a memorable scene at the Foro Italico, becoming the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the Italian Open singles title.
Supported by an electric home crowd, Paolini defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 on Saturday (Sunday, May 18, 2025, PH time). Now, all eyes turn to Jannik Sinner’s men’s final against Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, with Italy hoping for a historic singles title sweep.
The last Italian woman to lift the trophy was Raffaella Reggi in 1985, while Adriano Panatta was the last local man to do so in 1976.
Overwhelmed with emotion after her championship-clinching serve, Paolini expressed disbelief at her achievement, a dream she hadn’t even dared to imagine. The crowd’s adoration was evident in their chants, to which Paolini responded with gratitude.
“It doesn’t seem real to me,” she exclaimed. “I came here as a kid to see this tournament but winning it and holding up this trophy wasn’t even in my dreams.”
Paolini’s successful tournament could culminate in another title as she and Sara Errani are also in the women’s doubles final against Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens on Sunday.
Italy’s current tennis boom was underscored by the presence of President Sergio Mattarella at the women’s final, where fans proudly waved Italian flags and chanted “Vai Jasmine.”
The fifth-ranked Paolini, a recent Grand Slam finalist and Billie Jean King Cup champion, is projected to rise to No. 4 in the world rankings, bolstering her French Open seeding.
At 29, Paolini’s aggressive and powerful game, a notable evolution from her earlier, more passive style, allowed her to outplay Gauff.
“Today was my best match of the week,” she acknowledged, “and I needed that to beat Gauff.”
Despite her past success, Paolini recently made a coaching change, bringing in Marc Lopez, with Sara Errani also providing invaluable support.
Even Gauff recognized Paolini’s potential, stating, “She is capable of playing top-two, No. 1-in-the-world tennis.”
Paolini’s victory marks the first time since Monica Seles in 1990 that a woman has had the chance to sweep both the Rome singles and doubles titles in the same year. / From the wires