Jasmine Paolini is only one win from writing history as the first Italian woman in 40 years to eliminate the Italian open trophy.
The 29-year-old reached her first final in Rome after a determined fight against the American Peyton Stearns on Thursday and won 7-5, 6-1. Paolini, who was chased 4-1 in the first set and was confronted with set points, turned the match to the joy of the home crowd.
Her victory will set up a blockbuster -final against the American star Coco Gauff on Saturday. A victory would make Paolini the first Italian woman to claim the title since Raffaella Reggi did this in 1985.
“It’s a dream to be here, a dream to play in Italy, and a dream to reach the final,” said an emotional Paolini. “You (the fans) gave me the energy I needed when I had a hard time. We won this competition together.”
Paolini, sown sixth, also came from behind in her quarterfinals collision and recovered from a set and 4-0 to beat the Russian Diana Shnaider.
The player born in Tuscany enjoys the best form of her career and reached the final of both the French Open and Wimbledon last season. Her run to the final in Rome marks a milestone, because she becomes the first Italian woman to reach the title match, because her double partner, Sara Errani, lost to Serena Williams in 2014.
Saturday’s final will be a meeting of two former French Open -Finalists. Gauff, who finished second at Roland Garros in 2022, earned her place in her first Rome final after an exciting 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (4) victory over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng. The semi -final lasted more than three and a half hours.
It will be the second consecutive WTA 1000 -final of Gauff, after her loss of world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid earlier this month.
While Paolini wants to put an end to a waiting time of 40 years at a home champion in Rome, all eyes will be on the Italian while she steps up and haunts for a moment that could rewrite the tennis history of her country.
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