Romein Paolini will face Coco Gauf for the International BNL D’Talia title at an Italian vs. American Shodown after proceeding through his respective semi -final assignments on Thursday in Rome.
Sixth seeded Paolini defeated unheard American Peeton Sterns 7–5, 6–1 to become the third Italian woman to reach the final of her national open in the open era. Sara Irani lost in the 2014 finals, and Rafella Regi was the last Italian to win the trophy in 1985.
In the nightcap, the fourth seeded Goff exitated China’s eighth seed Kinwen Zheng 7-6 (3), 4-6, 7-6 (4) to become the first American woman after 2016 to reach the finals of Rome.
Paolini may have a house crowd, but her path has not been easy through a single draw. He defeated Latvia’s No. 17 Seed Jelna Ostapaneko in the 16 round before winning three-seater against Russian number 13 Seed Diana Schneider in the quarter-finals.
Against Sterns, Paolini rescued 5 out of 7 break points and won 21 out of 32 on second returns (65.6 percent).
29 -year -old Paolini said, “I am trying to live in the mindset that it was a great year last year, but it (me) gives great confidence, which only came in Dubai in 2024, the previous WTA 1000 title came in Dubai.” I have to remember that I have a lot of experience … under my belt.
Goff’s victory over Zheng lasted for three hours and 32 minutes.
After Gauf won a set in the first tiebreaker, Zheng controlled the second set. The Chinese player led 3–0 and 4–1 before hanging to the set and even to win the match.
Zheng and Goff led the third until Zheng took a 5-3 lead and served for the match. Goff ensured that his rival would lose the game, however, then served him to tie him at 5–5.
In the final tiebreaker, Gauf fell 2–0 before proceeding with four direct points and soon finished the job.
“I was just trying to go for every point,” said Goff. “I knew before it was going to be a physical match. The last time we played was more than three hours.
“Overall I am just happy. I did not have the best level to be honest. Just happy to be happy through it and through another final.”
Goff has not won the title since the WTA final last November. The 21 -year -old lost the Madrid Open Final for World No. 1 Aryana Sabalenka of Belarus earlier this month.
-Bield level media
