Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman in more than a decade to reach the final of her home Italian Open when she beat American Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-1 on Thursday. Paolini is the first Italian to advance to the final in Rome since her doubles partner Sara Errani lost to Serena Williams in 2014.

The world No. 5 returns to a WTA 1000 final, and no less in front of her home crowd, becoming the first Italian in the final since her doubles partner Sara Errani back in 2014. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up faced an unexpected opponent in the semifinals,

Coco Gauff expects two things heading into the Rome Open final and that's Jasmine Paolini delivering great tennis but also receiving a very strong support from the local crowd. On Thursday, top-ranked Italian female tennis player Paolini overcame Peyton Stearns 7-5 6-1 to become the first local woman to reach a Rome final since Sara Errani in 2014.