home favorite Jasmine Paolini emerged as a 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2 winner over Diana Shnaider to advance to the semifinals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
This one had the heft and weight of a marquee soccer game with host AS Roma playing at the adjacent Stadio Olimpico. Frustrated after the Italian broke her to level the third set at 2-all, Shnaider whipped her arms in a frenzy, sarcastically asking the crowd for more noise. They responded with shrill cheers and songs and whistles.
Paolini is only the fifth Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the final four in Rome — and the first since doubles partner Sara Errani did it 11 years ago.
At the age of 29, Paolini is the oldest of those successful players: Laura Garrone (1985 and 1986), Raffaella Reggi (1985), Caterina Nozzoli (1985) and Errani (2013 and 2014).
This is her third WTA 1000 semifinal, after Dubai 2024 and Miami 2025.
“It was really tough match,” Paolini told reporters afterward. “I’m really happy that I get through. But was a roller coaster.
“Point by point, point after point, I found a way — I fought until the end. The crowd, of course, helped me. So I’m really happy with the win.”
On Thursday, she’ll play the winner of the later match between No. 16 Elina Svitolina and unseeded Peyton Stearns.
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