Errani and Paolini champions in Rome

A dream come true, an unpredictable victory: Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini are the champions of the Internazionali di Roma. In the doubles final they defeated the number 3 seed Coco Gauff and Erin Routliffe in a match fought to the last point 6-3, 4-6, 10-8, maintaining lucidity and mental resilience in a super tiebreak that seemed compromised, with the opponents ahead first 4-1 and then 8-6. The Italians came back and celebrated with the centre court exploding when Gauff, on match point, made a double fault.

In the first set the Italian, aggressive and determined, dominated, closing the partial in 37 minutes. Errani was very attentive at the net, even when Gauff attempted a winner at the body. The break came immediately, and once ahead 4-2, it was easy to take a 5-2 lead with Routliffe making two double faults and sending a backhand into the net. Although the killer point in the next game rewarded the American and the New Zealander, the Azzurri closed 6-3 in confidence. A confidence that failed at the end of the second set, when the opponents grew. Gauff, world number three in the singles (defeated in Rome in the semifinals by tournament winner Iga Swiatek), had also been a finalist in the doubles at the Internazionali in 2023 with regular partner Jessica Pegula (who is injured this year). This was the first tournament for her alongside New Zealand doubles specialist Routliffe (who is 6'4") who normally plays with Gabriela Dabrowski (also injured): together they won last year's Us Open. It is therefore not surprising that Routliffe, in the second set, found more continuity by closing several volleys, while the American hit her backhand with increasing depth. The 6-4 in their favour, therefore, fits.

Encouraged by the victory in the second set, the number 3 seed started well in the super tiebreak, quickly going ahead 4-1, when, however, Routliffe made a double fault, allowing Errani and Paolini to remain attached to the match. The Italians did not lose confidence even at 5-3 and at 8-6 against them, they believed until the end (benefiting from two more double faults). Paolini responded well on Routliffe's serve at 8-6, then served just as effectively at the most delicate moment, at 8-7, grabbing the tie and taking the lead. Finally, Gauff, on 9-8, closed the accounts with the lethal double fault greeted by the roar of the central: it was a great celebration for the Italians, who embraced in front of the public in delirium. Errani, 37, had already won in Rome in 2012 with Roberta Vinci: "I still can't believe it," she said hotly, emotional, next to Jasmine, 28, who in turn commented "without Sara it would not have been possible. For us Italians, this is the most beautiful tournament of the year'. Both are now looking forward to the Olympics (this is the third trophy they have won together, after Monastir and Linz, but the one in Rome is a Masters 1000).

In the morning, there was the closing press conference of the Internationals. The president of the Fitp, Angelo Binaghi, recalled the constant growth of the event over the years, which closes with almost 360,000 tickets sold and a revenue of 28.5 million euros, an economic impact on the territory of 615 million ('without a single euro of public money,' he pointed out) and 121 million in tax revenue generated for the State. Bianghi then denied press reports that the extension of the Atp finals until 2030 is certain, with a Turin-Milan ticket: 'These are words that hurt and those who wrote them will have to take responsibility. There is nothing new, with the government and sponsors we are trying to gather energy and resources to keep the Finals in Italy as much as possible'. A final passage concerned the ticket price policy in Rome, which had seen a 20% increase in sales despite the considerable price rises: "If Jannik and Matteo had been there, we would have had to close and prevent any further influx of spectators". Binaghi did say, however, that ticket prices between central and ground would have to be more balanced, while at the same time reviewing those of the grand stand, which is currently 'undervalued'.