Tennis, Errani and Paolini's encore: still queens of Rome

Doubles champions in Rome also this year, in the most beloved place, with Jasmine already queen in singles: these are the dream Internationals of the Errani-Paolini pair (seeded number 3) who beat Russia's Veronika Kudermetova and Belgium's Elise Mertens, 6-4, 7-5 (they had lost to them in Madrid in two sets).

The start was shocking, the Italians found themselves down 0-4 in twenty minutes, the opponents were aggressive and solid, their heavy serve propitiating winners and net closures. Then began the comeback of Jasmine and Sara, who rediscovered compactness and continuity, the Tuscan working the ball from the back, rounding it, Errani scoring with volleys and smashes thanks to her usual exceptional mobility. While the opponents dropped and made a few more mistakes (see the two double faults by the Russian on 4-3), the centre filled and the cheering grew, the Italians conquered precious killer points with which they climbed up to 4 par. Concentrated and confident, they closed the set 6-4, accompanied by the roar of the crowd.

At the opening of the second set, however, her opponents rallied, returned to the net and broke Paolini's serve, then Mertens made an ace on the killer point (2-0) and Errani lost her serve with two forehand errors. The pattern of the first set then repeated itself, with Kudermetova holding serve without conceding a point: 4-0. Again, slowly, it's remuntada: Errani drags Paolini (who is perhaps a little tired after yesterday's test and emotions in the singular), with millimetric lobs and effective attacks, up to 4-3, when Jasmine strikes her opponents with two passes and then Sara closes with a smash. Four draws and incredible grit. So far, the cold shower of the break suffered by the opponents against Paolini, but the next game was decided on killer point: for the others it would have been 6-4, for the Azzurri 5 even. And the Belgian put the passer in the corridor! From this moment on, Errani and Paolini played their game, while the opponents fell prey to the tension. The shouts of "Forza ragazze" and "Italia Italia Italia" rose from the centre for the last effort at 6-5 in their favour. With Kudermetova at the serve, it was killer point again: Jasmine's winning response, her big forehand crossing, 7-5, game, match match and explosion of joy that split the eardrums. After the prize-giving ceremony, the winners celebrated with a dip in the pool still dressed as tennis players, together with their team.

The Italians are coming off an unforgettable 2024, with a gold medal at the Olympics, victory in the Billie Jean King Cup, titles in Rome, Beijing and Linz, a final at Roland Garros, and participation in the Riyadh Finals at the end of the year. They confirmed themselves as the strong and close-knit couple that has been driving Italy crazy.

At the end of the match, in the on-court interview, Sara's emotion: 'Tennis has given me some incredible moments, too many perhaps, I am in debt. I have to thank the team that follows us and entertains us, and Jas for the effort after yesterday's match. I learn from her every day. The crowd was indescribable, seeing this stadium full gives you chills." Jasmine echoed her, voicing all her enthusiasm: 'Thanks to our team, we all have a lot of fun together, sharing these moments with them and with my family who are here ... Thanks to Paolo, whom I forgot yesterday (Lorenzi, the tournament director, ndr), it's a fantastic tournament. And last but not least, thanks to the public, thanks for coming early. And good luck to Jannik'.