Jasmine Paolini became the third Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final after coming from 4-1 down in the first set, saving two set points on Thursday.
The Italian and No. 6 seed comeback to delight her home fans after a stunning display in Rome to defeat Peyton Stearns 7-5, 6-1 in 1 hour and 39 minutes.
Stearns, who had become the first woman in the Open Era to win three consecutive matches in third-set tiebreaks this week, began to leak errors towards the end of the first set, and they kept coming in the second as Paolini motored to the finishing line. From 5-3 down, Paolini won 10 of the last 11 games of the match.
I’m trying to be in the mindset that last year was a great year, but it give me a lot of confidence,” Paolini said. “I have to remember that, a lot of experience that I have in my belt, under my belt. At the same time, this year is another year. It’s different, completely different story.”
Paolini advances to her eighth career final, and fourth at WTA 1000 level or above following Dubai, Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year.
She is the first Italian woman to reach the final in Rome since doubles partner Sara Errani in 2014, and will bid to become the first home champion since 1985, when Raffaella Reggi defeated Vicki Nelson-Dunbar for the trophy.
The 29-year-old will seek her third career Hologic WTA Tour title against either No. 4 seed Coco Gauff or No. 8 seed Zheng Qinwen.
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