Italian Open: Paolini Advances, Berrettini Out as Rome Action Heats Up

Paolini fights back to begin Italian Open defence with win over Jeanjean

Paolini aims to become the first Italian woman to retain the Rome title, with Elise Mertens awaiting in the next round.

Matteo Berrettini lost to Alexei Popyrin in straight sets, a result that will see him exit the ATP top 100...

Jasmine Paolini kicked off her bid to defend the Italian Open title on Thursday, rallying from a set down to defeat France’s Leolia Jeanjean 6-7(4), 6-2, 6-4.

Playing on home soil, Paolini is aiming to become the first Italian woman to win back-to-back titles in Rome, but got off to a sluggish start at the Foro Italico.

Survived and advanced ✅@JasminePaolini battles through a thrilling three-set match against Jeanjean!#IBI26 pic.twitter.com/hpTA7tn7lo

— wta (@WTA) May 7, 2026

After dropping a sloppy first set, world No. 8 Paolini shifted gears and took control of the match, cruising through the next two sets to book her place in the third round against Elise Mertens.

FORZA! 🙌@JasminePaolini is back winning in Rome!#IBI26 pic.twitter.com/R0i8nwj2tb

— wta (@WTA) May 7, 2026

It was a tougher day for Italy’s men, as Matteo Berrettini exited in the opening round after a 6-2, 6-3 loss to Alexei Popyrin. The defeat will see the former Wimbledon finalist fall out of the ATP top 100.

Coco Gauff, who fell to Paolini in last year’s final, will begin her campaign against Tereza Valentova. The reigning French Open champion opens her Rome run in that matchup.

Top seed and tournament favourite Aryna Sabalenka closes out the day’s action on centre court against Barbora Krejcikova.

The Italian Open remains the one clay title to elude Sabalenka. Her best showing in Rome came two years ago when she reached the final before losing to Iga Swiatek.