In the heart of Rome, the Foro Italico is set to host a electrifying showdown on May 17, 2025, as Coco Gauff, the American tennis prodigy, prepares to face Italy’s own Jasmine Paolini in the women’s singles final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Fresh off a grueling three-and-a-half-hour semifinal victory over Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, Gauff is poised to claim her first Italian Open title, but she knows the challenge ahead is formidable. With a partisan crowd rallying behind Paolini, Gauff has already voiced her expectations for a tough battle, declaring she must be ready for the Italian’s best. As the stakes soar, this WTA 1000 final promises to be a clash of resilience, skill, and heart.
Gauff’s journey to her maiden Rome final was nothing short of epic. The 21-year-old, ranked No. 4, outlasted Zheng in a 7-6(3), 4-6, 7-6(4) marathon that stretched over three hours and 32 minutes, marking the longest women’s match of 2025. The semifinal saw 19 breaks of serve, with Gauff letting a 5-3 lead slip in the first set before capitalizing on Zheng’s double faults to edge the tiebreak. Zheng fought back, breaking early in the second to force a decider, but Gauff’s tenacity shone in the final tiebreak, where she clinched her spot in a second consecutive WTA 1000 final after a runner-up finish to Aryna Sabalenka in Madrid. “I was just trying to go for every point,” Gauff said, her words reflecting the relentless spirit that carried her through. Her Rome campaign also included a dominant 6-1, 6-2 win over Emma Raducanu in the fourth round and a 6-4, 7-6(5) victory over Mirra Andreeva, showcasing her clay-court prowess.
Paolini, the No. 6 seed and world No. 5, has ignited the home crowd with her inspiring run. The 29-year-old became the first Italian woman to reach the Rome final since Sara Errani in 2014, defeating Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 in the semifinals. Known for her comeback grit, Paolini trailed 4-1 in the first set and saved set points before roaring back, winning four straight games to seize the opener. Her momentum carried into the second set, where she broke Stearns repeatedly to seal the match. “I am very happy, I don’t know what to say,” Paolini told the crowd, her voice trembling with emotion. “It’s a dream to be here, it’s a dream to play in Italy, it’s a dream to be able to play the final.” Her path included stunning wins over Ons Jabeur, Jelena Ostapenko, and a remarkable quarterfinal comeback against Diana Shnaider, where she erased a set and 4-0 deficit.
Gauff anticipates a fierce challenge, particularly with the Italian faithful in Paolini’s corner. “Yeah, that was a tough match. She played well. She’s a tough opponent,” Gauff said of Paolini, referencing their recent clay-court clash in Stuttgart, where Paolini won 6-4, 6-3. While Gauff leads their head-to-head 2-1, Paolini’s victory in Stuttgart—her only win on clay against the American—looms large. “I think especially here with the home crowd behind her, she’s going to be playing some great tennis,” Gauff added. “I have to expect that. Hopefully I can bring a better level and hopefully win the title.” Gauff’s clay credentials are strong, with a 2021 Parma title and a 2022 French Open final, but Paolini’s resilience, honed by her 2024 French Open and Wimbledon finals, makes her a dangerous foe.
The final carries historic weight. A Paolini victory would mark the first Italian women’s singles title in Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985, a 40-year milestone. For Gauff, a win would make her the first American champion since Serena Williams in 2016 and secure her third WTA 1000 title, all before turning 22. Both players boast a 73% win rate this season, with Gauff’s lethal serves and aggressive baseline play contrasting Paolini’s swift movement and effective groundstrokes. Their matches have hinged on the first set, with the winner of the opener taking the match in all three prior encounters.
As Rome buzzes with anticipation, Gauff’s focus is clear: elevate her game to counter Paolini’s crowd-fueled energy. Paolini, meanwhile, draws strength from her 2024 breakout, including Olympic doubles gold and a Billie Jean King Cup title. With both players vying for their first WTA 1000 clay title, the final is set to be a thrilling spectacle, blending youthful ambition with hometown pride.
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