Jasmine Paolini Ends 40-Year Wait for Italian Women's Champion at Rome Open

Jasmine Paolini defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 in a commanding performance to become the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the Italian Open. Cheered on by a home crowd, Paolini secured her place in history and rose to No. 4 in the WTA rankings.

Jasmine Paolini Ends 40-Year Wait for Italian Women's Champion at Rome Open

Jasmine Paolini delivered a stunning performance to end Italy’s 40-year wait for a home champion in the women’s singles at the Italian Open, defeating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 in a memorable final.

Buoyed by a passionate home crowd at Rome’s Foro Italico—including the presence of Italian President Sergio Mattarella—Paolini took control early and never looked back. She wrapped up the match in one hour and 29 minutes, displaying poise and power on the clay.

“It doesn’t seem real. It’s incredible to have the trophy in my hands. I’m so emotional,” said the 29-year-old. “I came here as a kid to watch this tournament, so lifting the trophy is beyond what I ever dreamed of.”

With the win, Paolini becomes only the fourth Italian woman to win the title since the tournament began in 1930, and the first since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

The opening games were tense, with neither player holding serve in the first three. But once Paolini settled her nerves and took a 3-1 lead, she grew in confidence and closed out the set convincingly. In the second set, Paolini stormed to a 3-0 advantage, securing two early breaks. Although Gauff managed to break back and hold serve once, she couldn’t shift the momentum.

Paolini saved one break point before sealing victory with a strong serve down the middle on her second match point.

The win also means Paolini will rise to No. 4 in the WTA world rankings on Monday, securing a top-four seeding for the upcoming French Open.

Paolini isn’t done yet in Rome—she will return to the court for Sunday’s women’s doubles final alongside Sara Errani, facing Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. The last player to win both singles and doubles in Rome was Monica Seles in 1990, while Vera Zvonareva achieved the same feat at a WTA 1000 tournament in Indian Wells in 2009.

Meanwhile, her fellow Italian Jannik Sinner is set to face Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles final, in what promises to be another thrilling clash for Italian tennis fans.