Jasmine Paolini fights back to reach Rome Open final, first Italian finalist in more than 10 years

Jasmine Paolini overcame a difficult start against Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 and reached her first Rome Open final. The world No. 5 returns to a WTA 1000 final, and no less in front of her home crowd, becoming the first Italian in the final since her doubles partner Sara Errani back in 2014.

The two-time Grand Slam runner-up faced an unexpected opponent in the semifinals, but one who still posed a significant challenge. After a hesitant start, Paolini managed to regain control of the match and this Saturday will compete for the title against the winner between Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff.

First Set

It wasn't an easy start for Paolini, who came out of rhythm. After only a few minutes, the Italian was down 0-3 and faced two break points, but she started a comeback by holding her service game. Paolini looked somewhat 'asleep' at the beginning and struggled to find the rhythm of play that Stearns presented from the first ball. Already at 1-3, the former Dubai champion recovered again – this time from 0-40 – and ended up breaking back.

A double fault gave Paolini the break, bringing her back into the set at 3-4, but unfortunately for her, she couldn't hold her serve and gave her opponent the chance to take the set on her serve. Again, a double fault appeared at a complicated moment for the American – the 4th of the match so far – and Paolini took advantage of the tension weighing on her opponent, saving two set points against her and leveling the score at 4-5.

This time, Paolini held her serve and won a total of 4 consecutive games to take a rollercoaster set, going from 1-4 to 7-5 and saving two set points against her along the way.

Second Set

After a great comeback by Paolini in the first set, Stearns tried to correct her course in the second set, starting by holding her serve. However, she could do little from then on, with a Paolini who refused to give up from the baseline, always managing to extend the points and forcing Stearns to risk more to look for a winner.

The Italian was better in the key moments, saved a break point against her, and took advantage of three of the five opportunities she had throughout the set. Despite the tension of the final minutes, the Italian managed to maintain her level and not be carried away by the pressure. She won another six consecutive games and secured a notable 7-5, 6-1 victory.

It will be the second WTA 1000 final for Paolini – who won the Dubai Open in 2024 – and in the final, she awaits the winner between Zheng Qinwen and Coco Gauff. The match will be this Saturday, where Paolini will be the first local finalist since Errani in 2014 and will seek the first title for an Italian in 40 years – the last being Raffaella Reggi in 1985.

Match Statistics Paolini vs. Stearns