Jasmine Paolini is the new champion of the Italian Open, with the home favourite having beaten Coco Gauff in the final.
Italian star Paolini has emulated Serena Williams with the victory in Rome, in which she beat American ace Gauff 6-4, 6-2.
Paolini was the sixth seed at the WTA 1000 tournament in the Italian capital, with Gauff having been the fourth.
Gauff thinks Paolini deserved to win their Italian Open final, after which the latter collected her first WTA title of the season.
The Italian Open trophy represents a third career success for the 29-year-old, who has also won in Dubai and Portoroz.
Jasmine Paolini messages Coco Gauff after winning their Italian Open final
And Paolini has now taken to social media to celebrate her title from Rome, writing on Instagram: “I don’t even know where to start… this doesn’t feel real.
“I used to come here as a little girl just to watch this tournament, and now I’m holding the trophy. Honestly, I don’t think I even dared to dream this.
“Thank you to my amazing team, my family, and friends. You’re always there, always supporting me, no matter what. This moment is for all of us.
“Massive respect to Coco Gauff, you’re an incredible player and competitor. It’s always a battle, and it means a lot to share the court with you.
“I also want to thank you, Mr. President, for coming to Foro Italico to support me. Thanks to the Italian Tennis Federation, my sponsors, and to everyone involved in making this a fantastic tournament.
“These two weeks have felt like a dream… and it’s not over yet. We’ve still got the doubles final tomorrow, I haven’t forgotten that! Forza!”
Boris Becker reacts after Jasmine Paolini wins Italian Open final vs Coco Gauff
Paolini is deservedly drawing huge praise for her display, having overcome Gauff after one hour and 29 minutes of action.
She also issued a shortened version of the post on X, with tennis legend Boris Becker reacting with the message: “Forza.”
But as the Italian mentioned, she must quickly turn her focus to the women’s doubles final, where she is playing alongside compatriot Sara Errani.
The duo meet Elise Mertens and Veronika Kudermetova, with Paolini aiming to become the first player to win the singles and doubles titles at a WTA 1000 tournament since Vera Zvonareva at Indian Wells in 2009.
But she has also clinched superb achievements thanks to the singles glory, having become the first Italian woman to win her nation’s biggest event since Raffaella Reggi in 1985.
And given the latter’s success arrived in Taranto, Paolini is the first to win the title in Rome during the Open Era.
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