Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini have done it again! After making history with their gold medal win at the Paris Olympics, the dynamic Italian duo captured another prestigious victory at the China Open in Beijing, securing their spot at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. This marks the first time in ten years that an all-Italian pair has qualified for the season-ending tournament, following in the footsteps of Errani and her former partner Roberta Vinci.
This achievement is monumental for Italian women’s tennis, which has waited a decade to see its players return to the top eight doubles teams of the season. For Paolini, it’s her first-ever qualification for the WTA Finals, while Errani makes her triumphant return for the fourth time, having previously competed in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
Their Beijing victory is the latest milestone in a dream year for the pair. With titles in Linz, Rome, and Shanghai, a runner-up finish at Roland Garros, and an Olympic gold medal, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with. Errani’s Olympic win also secured her place in the exclusive Career Golden Slam club, alongside tennis legends like Serena and Venus Williams, Pam Shriver, and Barbora Krejcikova.
For Italian fans, this moment recalls the golden era of Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci, and Francesca Schiavone, who once carried the torch of Italian tennis. Now, at 38, Errani continues to inspire, teaming up with Paolini to keep Italian dreams alive.
