Star Metro - Paolini makes history by seeing off Gauff to win Italian Open

Late bloomer Paolini, who also won in Dubai last year, is the first Italian woman to win the Rome event since Raffaella Reggi in 1985 after overcoming former US Open champion Gauff in straight sets.

The 29-year-old delighted the packed centre court at the Foro Italico by winning the first of a potential three titles for local players at this year's event in the Italian capital.

"It doesn't seem real, it's incredible to have the trophy in my hands, I'm so emotional," said a beaming Paolini on court.

"I don't know what to say, it's so emotional to be here, I came here as a kid to watch this tournament so to lift the trophy is beyond what I ever dreamed of."

Paolini could yet win both the singles and women's doubles tournaments, with the world number five and Sara Errani, who was in the crowd on Saturday, taking on Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in another final on Sunday.

Paolini and Errani, who also won Italy a first ever Olympic gold in tennis in Paris last year, will be favourites to retain their Rome title.

Monica Seles was the last women to win the singles and doubles tournaments in Rome in 1990, while the only player ever to do so in a 1000 series tournament was Vera Zvonareva at Indian Wells in 2009.

- 'Dream week' -

Paolini's compatriot Jannik Sinner will contend a blockbuster men's singles final against rival Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, with an Italian hat-trick of Rome titles still on the cards.

"It's been a dream week, and we still have the doubles, don't worry, I haven't forgotten!" added Paolini.

Paolini is the oldest woman to win her first Rome title during the Open Era, while Gauff, eight years Paolini's junior, missed out on becoming the youngest American to take the crown since Serena Williams back in 2002.

Similarly to her battling semi-final win over Zheng Qinwen, Gauff made 55 unforced errors to go with seven double faults on serve, making Paolini's life unnecessarily easy.

Gauff was visibly livid with her sloppy performance which started with a double fault and continued with sloppy shots throughout the match.

American Gauff, who will nevertheless be world number two heading into the French Open, lost five of her nine service games and ended a poor evening's work with a failed service return attempt which handed Paolini possibly the biggest win of her career.

A.Hill--SMC