Jasmine Paolini ends 40-year wait! Wins Rome title in stunning home victory over Coco Gauff

Jasmine Paolini won her second WTA 1000 title at the Rome Open, after defeating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2, becoming the first local female player in 40 years to win the title – since Raffaella Reggi in 1985. The Italian advances to world No. 4 and will arrive at Roland Garros full of confidence.

An entertaining match from start to finish, in which the public played a key role with their massive support for Paolini. The 29-year-old continues to establish herself as one of the best Italian female tennis players of the Open Era.

A hard-fought match from the beginning in a packed Foro Italico supporting the first local female player to reach the final since 2015, when Sara Errani fell to Serena Williams. Precisely Errani was in Paolini's box, her usual partner, and was visibly very involved in what her compatriot was doing.

Paolini took the lead with an early break, but Gauff quickly broke back in the next game, taking advantage of her third opportunity to level the score at 1-1. However, Gauff played most of the points with her second serve, and Paolini, one of the best returners on the Tour, secured a second consecutive break.

This time, Paolini managed to hold onto the advantage and defend her serve, while both began to show more effectiveness when they had the responsibility. There was no room for more breaks, and Paolini maintained the lead until she took the set 6-4 in front of a crowd that was completely behind their representative. Paolini's 76% first serve percentage was key against Gauff's only 53%.

Paolini did not lose concentration at the start of the second set and took advantage of the momentum, with Gauff's serve effectiveness declining further. The Italian took two consecutive breaks in three chances and held strongly onto her serve to move ahead 3-0. In any case, a more measured Paolini was seen compared to other occasions, maintaining concentration despite the large advantage and the massive support of the local public.

Gauff regained hope by breaking back to 1-3 with the chance to serve to stay in the match. However, Paolini would not lose her inspiration, and with constant forehand exchanges, she overwhelmed the 2023 US Open champion, who committed errors from her weaker side.

Paolini secured the break, and with her serve, took an almost insurmountable 5-1 lead. Gauff seemed affected by the pressure, and although she managed to hold her serve for the last time, Paolini did not hesitate on her serve and ended up taking the victory – and the title – 6-4, 6-2.

Second WTA 1000 title for Paolini, a player who since 2024 has shown consistency and great results, and who, without the spotlight of players like Gauff, Sabalenka, or Swiatek, has made a name for herself with consistency in the top-5. As a finalist of the 2024 French Open, she will surely arrive with confidence and high expectations. And why not, dream of her first Grand Slam title, after falling in the finals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year.