Jasmine Paolini scripted history on Saturday and became the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the title of singles at the Italian open with commanding 6-4, 6-2 victories over World No. 3 Coco Gauff.
29 -year -old from Tuscany, who yelled with a passionate domestic crowd at Foro Italico, created a composite and confident performance to ensure the largest Claycourt title of his career and the second WTA 1000 after her victory in Dubai last year. Paolini is the first Italian to raise the trophy in Rome during the open era. The last to win the title of Women was Raffaella Regg in 1985, when the tournament took place in Tarant.
“It’s pure joy to have this trophy in my hands here in Rome,” Paolini said. “Really happy about it and also grateful.”
“Congratulations for the amazing week of Coco. You have reached the finals, so you play great. You are such a great player and a great person,” Paolini said.
Paolini, who will return to the ranking with the High World No. closed the match in less than 90 minutes on Monday.
Gauff, the ruling champion of Open, fought consistency and made 55 unforced errors, while Paolini remained stable and won 76% of his first points. Gauff has been in strong form for a week, defeated Zheng Qinwen, Mirra Andreeva and Emma Raducan, but in the final he was not able to equalize Paolini’s level.
“(Paolini) forced me to play in this way,” Gauff said after the match. “Maybe I could serve better and put more balls on the pitch, I could play better. I could and I can. But she played today and deserved to win.”
“Congratulations on this incredible success. You are an incredible man and player. It’s always hard to play. Good luck in the doubles final. I hope you can take it home,” Gauff said.
With the French Open starting on May 25, Paolini will head to Paris full of confidence after becoming the first Italian domestic champion in Rome from Reggi. On Sunday he will also have a chance to claim the second trophy in Rome, when she and the countryman Sara Errani play in the final of the women’s doubles.
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
18 May 2025
