Paolini’s Stunning Italian Open Final Run Shocks Rome 2025

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On May 17, 2025, Paolini, Italy’s sixth seed, stormed into the Italian Open women’s final in Rome, defeating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 to set up a blockbuster clash with Coco Gauff. As the first Italian woman to reach the final since Sara Errani in 2014, Paolini carries the hopes of ending a 40-year title drought for an Italian woman at the Foro Italico.

This article recaps Paolini’s semifinal triumph, analyzes her journey, and previews the final, offering fans a deep dive into a historic moment for Italian tennis.

Background: Paolini’s Breakthrough Season

Paolini, ranked world No. 5, has emerged as a clay-court force in 2025, building on her 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals and Olympic doubles gold with Errani, per Olympics.com.

Entering Rome with a 16-8 record after splitting with coach Renzo Furlan and hiring Olympic champion Marc Lopez, Paolini has thrived under pressure, per Olympics.com. The Italian Open, a WTA 1000 event and key French Open tune-up, saw her rally past Diana Shnaider in the quarterfinals, 6-7(1), 6-4, 6-2, to reach her first Rome semifinal, per Hindustan Times.

Paolini
Image Credit to Google

Paolini’s run included wins over Mayar Sherif and Anastasia Potapova, a stark improvement from her two career Rome main-draw victories before 2025, per WTAtennis.com. Her doubles semifinal with Errani, a 7-5, 3-6, 10-7 win over Gauff and Alexandra Eala, added to her workload but showcased her versatility, per Olympics.com. Facing Stearns, a 42nd-ranked American on a Cinderella run, Paolini aimed to seize her moment on home soil, per BBC Sport.

Semifinal Recap: Paolini’s Dominant Display

The Paolini vs. Stearns semifinal was a tale of resilience and precision. After a tight first set, Paolini broke Stearns at 6-5 to take it 7-5, capitalizing on her 83% first-serve points won, per Tennis.com.

The second set saw Paolini unleash 12 winners, including five forehands, to cruise 6-1 in 87 minutes, per Olympics.com. Her 25 winners to Stearns’ 17 and superior net play—winning 8 of 10 points—highlighted her tactical edge, per The Guardian.

Paolini
Image Credit to Google

According to The Playoffs, Stearns, who advanced to the semifinals by winning three straight tiebreaks, only managed one break point due to Paolini’s aggressive baseline style. Paolini’s “tiny-but-mighty” technique was complemented in posts on X, such as @TheTennisLetter, which noted that she could control rallies against opponents with greater height. According to Olympics.com, the triumph was Paolini’s first WTA 1000 final, which was a welcome boost as she defended her Roland Garros points.

Final Preview: Paolini vs. Gauff

Paolini faces world No. 3 Coco Gauff, who survived a 3-hour, 32-minute marathon against Zheng Qinwen, 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(4), to reach the final, per Olympics.com. Gauff leads their head-to-head 1-0, winning 6-4, 6-3 in Stuttgart, per @josemorgado.

Paolini
Image Credit to Google

But according to ESPN, Paolini is a live underdog at +180 odds because of her clay-court record (9-3 in 2025) and the love of her home audience. According to Tennis.com, Gauff has the advantage due to her 9-1 clay record and 27th top-10 victory, but Paolini’s 16 wins per match might put Gauff’s defense to the test.

According to BBC Sport, Paolini’s first serve (78% points won in Rome) and Gauff’s ability to control her aggression could determine the outcome of the final, which will air on Tennis Channel at 3:00 p.m. ET. According to Hindustan Times, Paolini would become the first Italian woman to win since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

Why Paolini’s Run Matters

Paolini’s Italian Open final appearance is a landmark for Italian tennis, coinciding with Jannik Sinner’s men’s final run, per CNN. For fans, her journey—from Grand Slam finalist to Rome’s darling—embodies resilience and hometown pride.

A win would cement Paolini as a national hero, boosting her French Open prospects, per The Guardian. The Gauff matchup, pitting youth and heart against experience, promises a thrilling climax to a tournament electrifying Rome’s passionate tifosi. Read more.

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