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,

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.

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.