A new moment of enchantment arrives for Italy at Roland Garros 2024. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini win the doubles finalwinning the semifinal against Court Simonne Mathieu in a comeback Marta Kostyuk and Elena-Gabriela Ruse. 1-6 6-4 6-1 was the final score for the two Italians against the Ukrainian and the Romanian, who after a first set above the pace were essentially trapped by the solidity of the two Italians and their very strong union on the court, which made a big difference during the match. Now we await the name of the other finalists: the USA Caroline Dolehide and Desirae Krawczyk or the USA/Czech Republic duo composed of Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova. It will be played on Sunday at 11.30am; the Italians are now 13th and 14th in the WTA doubles ranking, as well as with the chance to attack first place in the Race.
The third game, with Errani serving, is the first to have more of a fight, and it is Kostyuk who attacks in response from the right to get the break point. Ruse then hits Paolini on goal and leaves the rest to the Ukrainian player: 1-2. The break is confirmed, and for the Italians the fact of having to face a game based on power for good measure is confirmed. The result is a chance of 1-4, which materializes due to an intervention by Errani on goal that ends up long. And the issue doesn’t go away, because the two Eastern players show no signs of stopping their tactical plan: to hit, and hit hard, whenever they can. Ruse, confident, also invents a spectacular smash in retreat at the edge of the corridor. All this to seal the 6-1.
At the beginning of the second set there is immediately a chance for a good restart for Errani and Paolini: Sara keeps Ruse’s push, Jasmine puts the ball at her feet and it is 1-0. Then comes the confirmation of the break, especially because it restarted from 0-30. At 2-1, however, Kostyuk and Ruse try their best to come back, but in (large) part they don’t exploit their opportunities even in a gross way and in part Errani equips himself with miracles, such as in a third break point (out of ten) in which he saves the possible and also the impossible. After almost twenty minutes, however, the recovery comes from the Eastern duo, a 2-2 which essentially takes away a third of the match up to this moment. However, all the effort of Kostyuk and Ruse was wasted in two minutes, that is, a tenth of the time, given that the Italians broke the score to zero. The situation continues with breaks and with Kostyuk proving to be the most nervous of the lot. The Italians go up to 4-3, then confirm (finally) the break advantage with a sensational defensive lob by Errani which sends Ruse out of time, vainly ready to run back after a couple of tactical absurdities. The last games, even with the collaboration of a Paolini who makes her feel the weight of the ball, pass calmly and the 6-4 arrives which postpones the outcome of the contest to the third set.
LIVE Sinner-Alcaraz 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 0-1, Roland Garros 2024 LIVE: the fourth set has begun
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And the first game is immediately full of fight (and also extends in duration): three break points for the two Italians, with Ruse who misses with a backhand and has to give space to the initial advantage of Errani and Paolini. For the two Italians the situation is now clear: given the ongoing nervousness and the equally great inconstancy of their opponents, it is enough to continue weaving tactical plots to demonstrate harmony and the ability to command the situation. Emblematic, at 4-1 with two breaks ahead, Paolini’s very narrow cross-court forehand sends Kostyuk back and allows Errani to close with the volley. The sixth game ends in a fight, there is also a break point to save, in an excellent manner with the Tuscan who doesn’t have too many problems when it comes to shooting. And then comes the 5-1 with another good initiative from the new top ten in singles. All under the lively approval of Pablo Lozano, a life alongside Errani. It only takes a few minutes, a few more minutes, and the 6-1 is reality. With another final coming to Italy.
For the two blues, the figure of two hours and one minute that explains everything is simple, and it is one: 17-19 for winners-free errors, while between Kostyuk and Ruse there is a 41-51, with numbers increasing for the seconds over the first. Sara Errani will play her ninth specialty Slam final on Sunday; she won five, including one in Paris in 2012. Together with Roberta Vinci, it should be remembered, she won the Career Grand Slam. For Jasmine Paolini, however, this is the first time ever. And of her, like her doubles partner, he does the same feat that happened to her in 2012: reach the final in the last and the other specialty.
