Paolini, Errani Win Second Straight Rome Doubles Title

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Internazionali BNL d’Italia, Italian stars Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini defended their WTA Rome doubles title with an inspiring 6-4, 7-5 victory over Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. The victory, achieved in front of a passionate home crowd on Campo Centrale, solidified the pair’s place in Italian tennis history.

Despite facing daunting 0-4 deficits in both sets, Errani and Paolini delivered one of the most dramatic performances of the clay-court season, extending their winning streak at the event to two consecutive years. The win came just one day after Jasmine Paolini stunned Coco Gauff to become the first Italian woman in 40 years to win the Rome singles title, completing a rare and remarkable WTA double.

Historic Double for Paolini on Home Soil

With this victory, Paolini becomes the first player to claim both the singles and doubles titles at a single WTA 1000 tournament since Vera Zvonareva did so at Indian Wells in 2009. Her flawless fortnight on Rome’s red clay not only boosts her confidence ahead of Roland Garros 2025, but also cements her as a rising force on the women’s circuit.

“It’s been two amazing weeks,” Paolini said. “I don’t know what to say. It’s just perfect, you know?”

Her doubles partner, former WTA World No. 1 Sara Errani, also added a third Rome doubles crown to her resume, following earlier triumphs in 2012 (with Roberta Vinci) and 2024 (with Paolini).

Italian resilience shines in Rome Doubles final

The final against the newly reunited pair of Kudermetova and Mertens — who reached the WTA Finals as a team in 2022 — was anything but routine. The Belgian-Russian duo raced to 4-0 leads in both sets, but Errani and Paolini showcased tactical brilliance and elite resilience.

In the first set, the Italians shifted momentum with deep baseline shots and agile net play, breaking the rhythm of their opponents to claim six straight games. From 4-3 down, they clinched three consecutive games on deciding points, each closed out by an Errani winner near the net.

The second set followed a similar pattern, but with added drama. Kudermetova and Mertens once again surged ahead 4-0, only for Errani and Paolini to rally back to 4-4. After briefly falling behind 5-4, the Italians saved set point with a crucial forehand error forced from Kudermetova, eventually leveling the score.

At 6-5, match point arrived — and fittingly, it was Paolini who sealed the victory with a clean forehand return winner, bringing the stadium to its feet.

A New Era for Italian Women’s Tennis?

The triumph underscores a resurgence for Italian women in top-tier tennis. Errani and Paolini’s back-to-back Rome titles mark the first repeat doubles winners since Ashleigh Barty did so in 2018 and 2019. For Paolini, the Rome sweep adds to a breakthrough season that already includes a WTA title in Dubai and Grand Slam final appearances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2024.

As the countdown to Roland Garros 2025 continues, Italian hopes are soaring, with Paolini now ranked World No. 4 — above four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek.

SportsLigue