Sep 1, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Coco Gauff (USA) after a winner to Emma Navarro (USA) on day seven of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

tennis

Coco Gauff vs. Jasmine Paolini – What’s at Stake in the Italian Open 2025 Final?

Both players are chasing first title in 2025!

Sep 1, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Coco Gauff (USA) after a winner to Emma Navarro (USA) on day seven of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Soon to be ranked No. 2 in the world, Coco Gauff will attempt to overcome a partisan Italian crowd when she faces 2024 Roland Garros runner-up Jasmine Paolini in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final on Saturday. The Italian is looking to win her first career trophy on clay, and dropped only one set en route to the summit clash. Regardless of the result, Gauff vs Paolini promises to be one of the most highly anticipated 1000-level finals in recent times.

While both players have encountered brilliant runs at the Italian capital – the biggest loser here is Iga Swiatek. The former World No. 1 endured a challenging clay court season when compared to her phenomenally high standards. She dropped points in Stuttgart as well as Madrid, before failing to defend her crown at the Eternal City. Nonetheless, there is a lot at stake for both Gauff and Paolini this weekend.

Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini on the Brink of Numerous Records

While Jasmine Paolini is a consistent threat on the WTA circuit, the 29-year-old has not won a title since the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in February 2024. The first Italian woman to enter the final since her doubles partner Sara Errani in 2014, another victory for Paolini will make her the first home champion in Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985. Just like her American counterpart, she is chasing her maiden clay court 1000-level championship.

1 – Since the inception of the Women’s Singles event at Madrid in 2009, Coco Gauff is the youngest player to reach the final in Women’s Singles at both Madrid and Rome. Statement. #IBI25 | @InteBNLdItalia @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/bZAoa2L5ln
— OptaAce (@OptaAce) May 15, 2025

For Coco Gauff, a first trophy in 2025 awaits if she can scale the Paolini peak. She will also win an incredible 10th tour-level singles title in the process at just 21 years of age. The 2023 US Open champion is bidding to become the first American champion in Rome since Serena Williams in 2016. Gauff has already become the third youngest player to reach four WTA-1000 finals – and a maiden clay court title in four years beckons.

What Are They Saying Ahead of the Big Final?

Coco Gauff is wary of the quality that Paolini possesses. She firmly asserted how she must be ready for a fight, and produce a better level than what she did in Stuttgart. “It [Stuttgart] was a tough match. She played well, she’s a tough opponent. I think especially here with the home crowd behind her, she’s going to be playing some great tennis. I have to expect that.”

Subsequently, Jasmine Paolini is taking confidence from her outstanding 2024 season. “That [previous season] gave me a lot of confidence that I have to remember – a lot of experience that I have under my belt. At the same time, this year is another year. It’s a completely different story. I’m trying to repeat to myself ‘Look, remember that last year, we had an amazing year.’”

Coco Gauff

Iga Swiatek

Italian Open

Jasmine Paolini

Rome Masters

Tennis

WTA

WTA 1000

Sankalp Harikrishnan

A passionate sports fan through and through, I am currently pursuing my MA in Global Sports Journalism. I specialise in tennis and football writing at The Playoffs News, and I have prior experience working at EssentiallySports and Sportskeeda. Born and raised in Bengaluru, India, sport was my safe space right from my childhood. After trying my hand at multiple sports and representing my educational institutions in cricket, badminton and table tennis, I found sports media to be my calling.