Paolini conquers Gauff in straights to rule Rome

Paolini dispatches Gauff 6-4, 6-2 for maiden title in Rome

At this WTA 1000 clay court final in the Eternal City, Italy’s own Jasmine Paolini battled American Coco Gauff, the youngest finalist and first American to reach the final since 2016. Paolini is just the third Italian woman in the open era to reach the final, joining Raffaella Reggi, who triumphed in 1985, and Sara Errani, who reached the final in 2014.

Gauff, who recently turned twenty-one, is ranked #3 and seeded fourth. She is the youngest player to have reached the Madrid and Rome finals in the same season and, before today, had reached the penultimate round twice (2021 & 2024). While Guaff led the head-to-head 2-1, Paolini prevailed on indoor clay last month in Stuttgart.

Paolini, eight years older, is ranked fifth and seeded sixth. She dropped just one set en route to the championship match, her first final of the season. Gauff won the toss and chose to serve.

After donating fifteen double faults in her three-set win over Zheng Qinwen in the semis, Gauff opened the final with another. She faced a break point and dumped serve following two consecutive backhand errors.   

Paolini faced three deuce, three break points, and gave back the break with an errant backhand. Gauff gifted her second double fault and two additional errors to drop serve while Paolini consolidated the break for 3-1 following three consecutive unforced errors from the American.

(PHOTO / AFP)

The world #3 opened the fifth with a forehand error and faced a break point after her third double fault but held with three groundstroke winners. Paolini raced to a 40-0 lead but faced three deuce points before holding for 4-2.

The American opened the seventh with her first ace and with two additional winners, held for 3-4. The Italian serving with new balls donated three unforced errors and faced deuce, yet held for 5-3 when Gauff netted a backhand.

The 2023 US Open champion serving to stay in the set held easily to 15 despite gifting her fourth double fault. Paolini reached triple set point with a remarkable slice backhand volley that landed on the baseline and secured it when Gauff netted the return.

Gauff looked increasingly frustrated and dejected, served first in the second, and with two additional double faults, dumped serve. Paolini made 5/8 first serves and, though she faced deuce, consolidated the break for 2-0. Despite making 3/5 first serves, Gauff faced double break point and dumped serve with two consecutive forehand errors while Paolini made 6/8 first serves, faced deuce, two break points, and dropped serve with two consecutive forehand errors.   

Gauff struck three consecutive errors, including her seventh double fault, and dumped serve when the Italian ripped the forehand return inside-in. Paolini made 6/6 first serves and consolidated the break for 5-1 when Gauff mishit the backhand return.

The American serving with new balls and to stay in the match faced deuce but held with two consecutive groundstroke winners and a mishit backhand from her opponent. Paolini served for the match and a coveted place in history. She quickly reached double match point and converted the second with a colossal serve up the tee.

The 6th seed became the third Italian to triumph in Rome, following Adrianno Pannatta in 1976 and Rafaella Reggi in 1985. She will reascend to her career-high ranking of #4 and will be seeded fourth at the French Open having reached the final last year (l. Swiatek).  

Paolini remained poised under pressure irrespective of Gauff’s subpar level. To compete in a WTA 1000 final in your country with the president in attendance is no easy feat. Now a two-time WTA 1000 singles champion (Dubai 2024), she will take to the court tomorrow alongside compatriot Sara Errani as the defending doubles champions.