Jasmine Paolini will compete against Coco Gauff in the finals of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Saturday, May 17th at the Foro Italico in Rome. While many casual bettors would consider Gauff as the favorite to win, Paolini should not be underestimated. She has demonstrated remarkable performance on the WTA Tour in the past year and will enjoy strong local support as an Italian player in Rome, which adds a unique dynamic to the match.
The moneyline shows Gauff at -200 and Paolini at +160, with Gauff favored to win by a margin of 3.5 games. The match starts at 11:00 am ET and will be broadcast live on the Tennis Channel.
Interestingly, Paolini recently defeated Gauff in straight sets at the Stuttgart Open, showcasing her capability to win against the American. However, the stakes are higher in this final, and Paolini will face added pressure to perform well in front of her home crowd, which could result in a challenging match.
Gauff, despite her recent victory over Qinwen Zheng in the semifinals, had a rough performance marked by 15 double faults and a concerning number of unforced errors. While she is known for her resilience, these issues with service could impact her against Paolini, who is currently recognized as the best clay-court returner.
Paolini has a strong track record, managing to secure at least one set in two of their previous three encounters. Both players excel in creating long rallies, and if Paolini can handle the pressure and use the crowd’s energy to her advantage, she might have a good chance to push Gauff.
This encounter is not just about skill; the emotional aspect and home advantage could play a significant role. A win for Paolini would be a monumental achievement, highlighting her growth in the sport over recent years.
Ultimately, while Gauff may be a more established player, the combination of local support and Paolini’s current form makes this final an unpredictable and exciting matchup.