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NEW DELHI: In a remarkable victory at the Italian Open on Saturday, Jasmine Paolini secured her second 1000 series championship by defeating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2, setting a positive tone before Roland Garros this month.The achievement marks Paolini as the first Italian woman to secure the Rome tournament since Raffaella Reggi’s victory in 1985, demonstrating her superiority over former US Open champion Gauff.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The packed centre court at the Foro Italico witnessed Paolini’s triumph, potentially the first of three titles that could be secured by Italian players in this year’s Rome tournament.At 29, Paolini has become the oldest first-time Rome champion in the Open Era. Meanwhile, Gauff, who is eight years younger, missed the opportunity to become the youngest victor since Serena Williams’ achievement in 2002.
Gauff’s performance was hindered by 55 unforced errors and seven double faults on serve, similar to her semi-final match against Zheng Qinwen, which simplified Paolini’s path to victory.Paolini could achieve additional success in the women’s doubles tournament, where she and Sara Errani face Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in Sunday’s final.The last woman to win both singles and doubles titles in Rome was Monica Seles in 1990, whilst Vera Zvonareva remains the sole player to accomplish this feat in a 1000 series tournament at Indian Wells in 2009.The tournament continues with Paolini’s fellow Italian Jannik Sinner set to compete against Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s men’s singles final.
