Joyous Paolini makes history

ROME — Jasmine Paolini made Italian tennis history on Saturday by winning the Italian Open, convincingly beating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 to claim her second 1000 series title ahead of Roland Garros later this month.

Late bloomer Paolini, who also won in Dubai last year, is the first Italian woman to win the Rome event since Raffaella Reggi in 1985 after overcoming former US Open champion Gauff in straight sets.

The hugely popular 29-year-old delighted the packed center court at the Foro Italico by winning the first of a potential three titles for local players at this year’s event in the Italian capital.

And after reaching two Grand Slam finals last year Paolini, who will be world No. 4 on Monday, will be gunning to go one better in Paris after a brilliant home tournament.

“Every time I go out onto the court I try to do so with joy, with passion and with a certain amount of calm,” Paolini told reporters. “It’s important for me to go out there and try to have fun, not take things lightly.”