Brilliant Paolini downs Gauff to win Italian Open title
The 29-year-old will climb to world No 4 on Monday after winning the biggest title of her career
Inside/psnewz
Jasmine Paolini clinched the biggest singles title of her career as she beat Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 to win the Italian Open in Rome on Saturday.
The 29-year-old, runner-up at the French Open and Wimbledon last year, was more consistent than a ragged Gauff throughout and was brave in important moments as she won her third career title.
“I don’t have the words,” an elated Paolini said as she accepted her trophy. “It’s been an incredible two weeks.
“It’s pure joy to have this trophy in my hands here in Rome at home,” she told reporters later. “Really happy about it and grateful, as well. It’s a dream to win in Rome, of course, I don’t know for every maybe kid that’s playing in Italy. It’s amazing. I’m really happy about it. I’m enjoying the moment. It’s an amazing one.”
Paolini is just the second Italian to win the title, following in the footsteps of Rafaella Reggi in 1985, a win that will propel her to world No 4 – equalling her career-best – when the rankings are updated on Monday and send her into Roland-Garros full of confidence.
Paolini thrills home crowd
Gauff led their head to head record 2-1 but Paolini had won their only clay meeting, in Stuttgart in April and it was the Italian who looked the more confident from the start.
Gauff, who had battled some serving demons to make the final, double faulted on the first point and was broken, only to break straight back with some heavy hitting. The rallies were punishing right from ball one, but it was Paolini who broke again to lead 2-1.
The Italian settled the better, then holding serve for 3-1 and forcing a break point that would have given her a 4-1 lead. To her credit, even as the crowd was getting more and more behind Paolini, Gauff stayed calm, saving the break point to stay in touch.
But though the relative lack of power of the Paolini serve always offered Gauff hope on returns, she could never quite get a foothold in the Italian’s service games and Paolini held on to the advantage to serve out the opening set.
Paolini maintains momentum and focus
Gauff needed to strike quickly to get back into the match but instead it was Paolini who moved ahead immediately, breaking in the opening game of the second set.
Gauff was making too many mistakes, out of rhythm on her groundstrokes as well as her serve and Paolini maintained her momentum and focus to break again, Gauff dumping a drop shot in the net to fall 3-0 behind.
The American went for broke on returns in the next game and snatched one of the breaks back. With light rain falling, the former US Open champion might have thought the weather would come to her rescue but she was broken to love as Paolini took full control again.
The rain was not enough to take the players off the court and Paolini stayed calm as she held for 5-1. Gauff continued to fight, holding for 5-2 but Paolini held her nerve and served out for victory.
Despite her defeat, Gauff will rise to No 2 in the rankings on Monday, equalling her career-best.
“I have had a great week,” Gauff said. “I’ve been here so many times, made the semis twice, so I was happy to get to the final. Jasmine, you’re an amazing person and player, and congratulations on this amazing achievement.”
