Italy's Jasmine Paolini recovered from a slow start to reach the Italian Open final with a 7-5 6-1 victory against Peyton Stearns. World number five Paolini struggled in the early stages and faced a set point when trailing 5-3 in the opener, but American Stearns was unable to hold serve.

Coco Gauff needed three and a half hours to get past Zheng Qinwen in three sets Thursday to reach the Italian Open final, where she'll face Jasmine Paolini.

Italy’s tennis boom is in full flower at the Foro Italico. Top-ranked Jannik Sinner hasn’t dropped a set in his return from a three-month doping ban at the Italian Open.