Errani and Paolini Triumph at Roland Garros: Italian Stars Claim Maiden Grand Slam Doubles Title in Thrilling Final
A Decade in the Making: Italians Conquer Paris Clay
Errani and Paolini Capture Historic : In a stunning display of resilience, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini clinched their first Grand Slam doubles title at Roland Garros, defeating unseeded duo Anna Danilina (Kazakhstan) and Aleksandra Krunic (Serbia) 6-4, 2-6, 6-1. The emotionally charged final saw the Italian Olympic gold medalists avenge their 2024 runner-up finish and cement their status as the world’s premier doubles team .
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The Championship Decider: Grit Meets Grandeur
Sunday’s final unfolded as a microcosm of the Italians’ partnership: initial dominance, mid-match turbulence, and a breathtaking resurgence. Key moments included:
- First Set Precision: After trading breaks, Errani/Paolini broke at 5-4 to seize momentum .
- Second Set Slump: Danilina/Krunic dominated 6-2, exposing rare Italian vulnerabilities .
- Decisive Domination: Racing to a 5-0 lead in the third set, Errani/Paolini sealed victory when Krunic’s forehand found the net .
The win marks their seventh team title and completes a “Career Clay Slam” for the pair, adding the Roland Garros trophy to their Olympic gold (2024) and Rome WTA 1000 titles .
Legacy Cemented: Errani’s Historic Fortnight
At 38, Sara Errani authored one of tennis’s most remarkable chapters:
- Sixth Grand Slam doubles title (first since 2014), joining legends like Martina Navratilova .
- First player since 2017 to win multiple Roland Garros titles in one year, having claimed the mixed doubles crown with Andrea Vavassori days earlier .
- Historic Italian Feat: She is now the first to win Roland Garros women’s doubles with two partners (Roberta Vinci in 2012; Paolini in 2025) .
“This victory bridges my past and present. Winning with Jasmine on the same court where we won Olympic gold makes it transcendent.” — Errani post-match
Paolini’s Breakthrough: From Heartbreak to Glory
For Jasmine Paolini, this triumph erases years of near-misses:
- First Grand Slam title in any discipline, after finishing runner-up in both singles and doubles at Roland Garros 2024 .
- Tactical Transformation: Her aggressive net play and returns were pivotal, neutralizing Krunic’s power .
- Singles to Doubles Synergy: Despite a fourth-round singles exit in 2025, she channeled her energy into doubles dominance .
The Roland Garros Connection: A Sacred Court
Court Philippe-Chatrier has become the Italians’ hallowed ground:
- 2024 Olympic Gold: Defeated top seeds on this court en route to gold .
- 2024 Runner-Up: Fell to Gauff/Siniakova in a three-set heartbreaker .
- 2025 Redemption: Dropped just one set en route to the title, including a 6-0, 6-1 semifinal rout of Andreeva/Shnaider .
Anatomy of a Dream Team: How They Conquered Paris
Errani/Paolini’s success stems from synergistic brilliance:
Tactical Mastery
- Errani’s Wizardry: Vintage lobs, angled volleys, and tactical serving .
- Paolini’s Power: Crushing returns and court coverage (noted in semi-final stats) .
Milestone Journey
Table: Errani/Paolini’s Road to Greatness
| Year | Achievement | Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | First Team Title | Monastir |
| 2024 | Olympic Gold | Paris Olympics |
| 2024 | WTA 1000 Crown | Rome |
| 2024 | Roland Garros Finalists | French Open |
| 2025 | Rome Title Defense | Italian Open |
| 2025 | Grand Slam Champions | French Open |
The Unseeded Challengers: Danilina/Krunic’s Valiant Run
Despite defeat, Danilina/Krunic made history:
- Giant Slayers: Ousted top seeds Siniaková/Townsend in the quarterfinals .
- Resilience Personified: Saved critical break points in earlier rounds, including a three-set thriller vs. Muhammad/Schuurs .
Records and Legacy: Where This Win Ranks
- First All-Italian Champions at Roland Garros since Errani/Vinci (2012) .
- Errani joins rare air as the only active player with a Career Grand Slam in doubles and multiple mixed majors .
- Paolini becomes Italy’s first singles-doubles multi-finalist to convert a Slam title .
The Emotional Victory Lap
Post-match scenes captured tennis’s essence:
- Errani dedicating the win to “every Italian who stayed up late” .
- Paolini in tears, holding her first major trophy .
- The duo waving to fans who chanted “Italia! Italia!” .
Looking Ahead: Wimbledon and Beyond
With momentum surging, the pair announced:
- Wimbledon Intent: “We’re hungrier than ever” — Paolini .
- Historic Quest: Errani could match Vinci’s record of 5 Slams with Paolini .
Final Scorecard: The Match by the Numbers
- Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes .
- Break Points: Italians converted 5/9; saved 7/12 .
- Winners: Errani/Paolini hit 28 vs. 19 by opponents .
Conclusion: A Roland Garros for the Ages
Errani and Paolini’s 2025 French Open victory transcends sport. It’s a tale of perseverance, partnership, and national pride. For Errani, it’s a late-career renaissance; for Paolini, a star-making triumph. As they lifted the Coupe Simonne Mathieu, Roland Garros witnessed the coronation of a new—and yet gloriously familiar—doubles dynasty.
Tags: Sara Errani, Jasmine Paolini, French Open 2025, Roland Garros, Women’s Doubles, Tennis Champions, Grand Slam, Italian Tennis, WTA Tour, Olympic Gold Medalists
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“We lost here last year, but today we played with our hearts. This is for Italy!” — Paolini