Internazionali d’Italia: Errani and Paolini fly to the quarters in women’s doubles

The Olympic champions do not stop roaring. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini continue their successful defense of the title they won last year, hitting the quarterfinals at the Internazionali d’Italia 2025. The Azzurri, credited with the number 3 seed, overcame in a real battle the duo composed of Leylah Fernandez and Yulia Putintseva with a score of 6-4, 4-6, [10-7] in one’hour and forty minutes of heated and hard-fought play.

The first set opened with great balance, but in the decisive moment Errani and Paolini’s greater experience and mental solidity made the difference. After being surprised with a break in the fourth game, the Italians immediately respond with the counterbreak and from there on raise the level, closing 6-4 thanks to a series of impeccable service turnovers.

In the second partial, things seemed to be going downhill for the Azzurri, who immediately took a 2-0 lead. But Fernandez and Putintseva reacted with grit and strung together four consecutive games, turning the tide. Errani and Paolini did not give up and found another break, but it was not enough: Fernandez and Putintseva closed 6-4 and took the match to the super tie-break.

In the deciding match, after a balanced start, the Italians take control and lead 6-3. Despite the opponents’ comeback attempt, Errani and Paolini proved cooler in the key moments: Sara held serve twice in a row and gave away three match points, the second of which was the decisive one.

Statistics reward the Italian pair, superior in points won (72 vs. 61) and, most importantly, with a 67 percent return on second serve compared to 35 percent for their opponents. Now, in the quarters, the defending tournament champions will face the winners between Pigato/Grant and Gauff/Eala. The race continues.