Jasmine Paolini makes history in Rome with stunning comeback to reach Internazionali BNL d'Italia final
In front of a roaring home crowd at the Foro Italico, Italy’s Jasmine Paolini delivered yet another stirring comeback performance to become only the third Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The No. 6 seed overcame a shaky start to defeat Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 in 1 hour and 39 minutes, thrilling Italian fans with resilience and flair.
Historic Run on Home Soil
With this result, Paolini advances to her eighth career WTA final, and her fourth at the WTA 1000 level or above following remarkable deep runs at Dubai, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon in 2024. The 29-year-old is the first Italian woman to reach the Rome final since her doubles partner Sara Errani in 2014, and now stands on the verge of history as she bids to become the first home champion in Rome since Raffaella Reggi lifted the trophy in 1985.
Final Showdown with Coco Gauff awaits
Paolini will face World No. 2 Coco Gauff in Saturday’s blockbuster final. Gauff secured her place in the title match after an epic 3-hour, 32-minute battle against No. 8 seed Zheng Qinwen in Thursday night’s semifinal. The American holds a 2-1 edge in head-to-head meetings with Paolini, but the Italian won their only clay-court encounter just last month in Stuttgart — an edge that could prove decisive in front of a partisan Roman crowd.
Gritty First-Set Turnaround Fuels Victory
Though not quite as dramatic as her quarterfinal comeback against Diana Shnaider — where Paolini battled back from a set and 4-0 down, then again from 0-2 in the third — Friday’s semifinal still demanded her trademark grit and composure. Stearns stormed out to a 3-0 lead and held two break points for 4-0, but a gutsy stretch volley from Paolini ignited her response.
The American’s fierce forehand helped her reclaim a 5-3 advantage, but Paolini's mental strength shone through. She saved a set point with a bold drop shot and erased another with a stunning cross-court return winner after running around her forehand. Stearns missed her chance on a second set point, netting a routine forehand, and Paolini punished the lapse with a blazing winner that turned the tide for good.
From 5-3 down in the first set, Paolini won 10 of the last 11 games, capitalizing on a wave of unforced errors from Stearns, who had earlier made history herself as the first woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive matches in third-set tiebreaks.
Paolini’s 2025 form continues to validate her breakthrough season last year. Often underestimated, the Italian has demonstrated remarkable consistency, reaching the second week of every Grand Slam in 2024. Her results this season now include semifinal appearances in Miami and Stuttgart, and following this Rome final run, she will climb into the Top 10 in the PIF Race to the WTA Finals Leaderboard.
A victory in Saturday’s final would elevate her back to a career-high No. 4 in the PIF WTA Rankings, reinforcing her status as a legitimate title contender at every level.
Paolini on Her Growth: “This Year is a Different Story”
Speaking after her win, Paolini offered thoughtful reflections on her growth as a player:
“I'm trying to be in the mindset that last year was a great year, but it gave me a lot of confidence. I have to remember that — a lot of experience under my belt. At the same time, this year is another year. It's different, a completely different story.”
And indeed, that new chapter could be crowned with her third Hologic WTA Tour title if she can overcome Gauff in the final on Saturday.
What’s Next?
The 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia final promises high drama as local hero Jasmine Paolini takes on Coco Gauff in what is set to be a captivating clay-court showdown. Will Paolini become the first Italian in four decades to lift the Rome trophy? Find out Saturday.
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