Jasmine Paolini says it is "amazing" to follow in the footsteps of doubles partner Sara Errani and reach the Italian Open final, where she will play Coco Gauff on Saturday.

Last season's two-time major runner-up is into her first championship match of this term, following Thursday's straight-sets win over Peyton Stearns.

Paolini - a winner in Dubai in 2024 - is the first Italian to reach multiple WTA-1000 finals, and the third-oldest player to advance to the Rome showpiece after Helga Masthoff (1971) and Li Na (2012).

The 29-year-old is also the third woman from her nation to progress to the final in the Italian capital, after 1985 champion Raffaela Reggi and Errani 29 years later.

"It's amazing to be in the final as she did," Paolini said of the latter, who she will be playing alongside in the doubles final after beating Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals on Friday. 

"I think [she is] part of my team. She watched many, many matches. [In my] last match, she was a key part because she helped me a lot.

"[The 2024 season] gave me a lot of confidence that I have to remember, a lot of experience that I have under my belt. At the same time, this year is another year. It's different; a completely different story."

You won't want to miss this final

Who will lift the #IBI25 trophy on Saturday?

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— wta (@WTA) May 15, 2025

The Italian faces former US Open champion Gauff for the second time in as many months, having prevailed in their Stuttgart Open quarter-final four weeks earlier.

The world number three is gearing up for her fourth WTA-1000 final and, at 21, is the third-youngest player to reach that tally, older than only Caroline Wozniacki and Iga Swiatek.

"[Jasmine is] a tough opponent," Gauff said. "I think - especially here with the home crowd behind her - she's going to be playing some great tennis. I have to expect that.

"Hopefully, I can bring a better level [than in my semi-final win over Qinwen Zheng] and, hopefully, win the title."