Jasmine Paolini reached the Italian Open final on Thursday after ending Peyton Stearns's impressive run in the Rome tournament 7-5, 6-1.
Home hope and sixth seed Paolini became the third Italian woman to reach the Foro Italico final, and the first since her doubles partner Sara Errani was thumped by Serena Williams in 2014.
American Coco Gauff will face Paolini in Saturday's title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) against China's Zheng Qinwen in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours.
You won't want to miss this final🍿
— wta (@WTA) May 15, 2025
Who will lift the #IBI25 trophy on Saturday?
Presented by @CorpayFX pic.twitter.com/VwdglHKdBs
"It's a privilege to be in this position. I matured late as a tennis player but everyone has their own path. Some mature earlier and some later," said Paolini.
"I'm just enjoying it without thinking too much about the past."
Paolini was favourite to get past unseeded Stearns but early on her American opponent showed why she got to her first 1000 series semifinal by knocking out a succession of big names including Naomi Osaka and fifth seed Madison Keys.
Paolini looked way off the pace when she lost the first three games of the match in surprisingly timid fashion, serving weakly and mishitting a host of simple shots.
But she slowly began to force herself back into the contest, putting pressure on Stearns to find shots with her serving and finding both more power and accuracy on her forehand.
Stearns' frustration was clear to see after being broken to allow Paolini to serve for the set, lashing her racket into her bag before giving herself a telling off in her seat.
And a break of serve in the third game of the second set deflated Stearns, whose fate was sealed two games later when Paolini took the third of three break points, roaring her joy to her delighted supporters in the centre court stands before comfortably seeing out the match.
The Paolini Party isn't over 🗣️@JasminePaolini conquers Stearns 7-5, 6-1 and moves one step closer to Italian History 🏆#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/5UA7AAQgVS
— wta (@WTA) May 15, 2025
Paolini could yet win both the singles and women's doubles tournaments, with her and Errani taking on Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the semifinals on Friday.
GAUFF PREVAILS
Gauff prevailed on a centre court left mostly empty by fans who headed for the exits in large numbers after watching Sinner's tennis clinic.
Former US Open winner Gauff won her third straight match against Olympic gold medallist Zheng, after coming through a tie in which she made 15 double faults on serve and there were a combined total of 156 unforced errors.
FOUGHT HER WAY INTO THE FINAL 👊
— wta (@WTA) May 15, 2025
After an over 3 hour battle, @CocoGauff rallies her way into the final in Rome defeating Zheng 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6!#IBI25 pic.twitter.com/ICi4zfL1nI
The 21-year-old is looking for her first title of the season after losing the Madrid final to Sabalenka, and against home hope Paolini will find herself in a much fiercer atmosphere than the soporific crowd which stayed till past midnight to watch her reach her second final of the year.
"I told myself I'm ready to go home," said an exhausted Gauff.
"It was tough for me, finding my rhythm especially at night, it was so slow, I just tried to stay in there.
"I was frustrated. She forced me to get out of my comfort zone."