Paolini storms to victory over Gauff to win Italian Open and make history

• Home favourite wins 6-4, 6-2 at Foro Italico
• Paolini is first Italian to win women's singles in 40 years

Jasmine Paolini became the first home winner of the Italian Open for 40 years with a dominant victory over Coco Gauff. The 29-year-old, who reached the final of the French Open and Wimbledon last year in a breakthrough season, delighted the fans at the Foro Italico with a 6-4, 6-2 success.

No Italian had won the singles titles in Rome since Raffaella Reggi in 1985, but Paolini thoroughly merited her triumph. Jannik Sinner could make it a home double when he faces Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday. It doesn't seem real to me," Paolini said. I came here as a kid to see this tournament, but winning it and holding up this trophy wasn't even in my dreams."