In 128 years of Olympic history, Italy had won only one medal in tennis, in 1924. In two days, a hundred years later, it has lined up two. After the bronze worn around the neck by Lorenzo Musetti of the singles, the Paris Olympics continue to provide memorable pages for the Italian racket. And in this case it is an absolute first. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini conquer the first gold medal in history of Italian tennis in women’s doubles. An incredible feat, achieved at the end of the final won over the Russians Myrra Andreeva and Diana Schnaider (in Paris under the banner of the neutral flag due to the events of the Russian-Ukrainian war), overcome in a comeback with the score of 2-6 6-1 10-7 in the super tie-break. It is the twenty-first medal of the Italian expedition, the seventh gold up to this point.
Errani and Paolini presented themselves in Paris as one of the favorite couples of the tournament. A nice burden to have, but not always comfortable to wear. And in fact this gold came after a journey that alternated complicated moments with others lived with ease, eliminating New Zealand (Lulu Sun and Erin Routliffe), France (Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry), Great Britain (Katie Boulter and Heather Watson) and the Czech Republic (Linda Noskova and Karolina Muchova). It is the pinnacle for a duo that this season had already achieved great results, with the victory at the Internazionali d’Italia, the Slam final at Roland Garros and an almost guaranteed place for the next Wta Finals.
If for Jasmine Paolini this triumph represents yet another moment to remember in 2024 and a way to redeem herself after losing singles finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, the meaning is very different for Sara Errani. The 37 year old from Bologna it was the last chance of her career to win a medal after the disappointments in the tournaments of London 2012 and Rio 2016, played with Roberta Vinci and both ended in the quarterfinals. But there is not only this. Errani – protagonist of great years in singles between 2012 and 2014, with Slam finals, top 10 placings and participation in the Wta Finals – also closes her personal Career Golden Slam in the discipline, after having won all the Grand Slam titles, always paired with Vinci. A sporting satisfaction and a great personal redemption, after the events related to the positivity to letrozole that saw her involved between 2017 and 2018.
First set– After an initial phase of study and balance in service, the first break of the match is made by the Russians. Schnaider finds the central corridor where Paolini arrives late. The recovery of the number 5 in the world ends long: 3-1. The inertia for Andreeva and Schnaider continues, and so here are two more break points. The Italians shake up and cancel everything, with Paolini who for the first time takes the stage. The problems, however, do not end there. Errani accuses a physical problem and has to ask for the intervention of the physiotherapist, but above all at 5-2 the Italians find themselves 0-40. Three set points for the Russians. Andreeva does not need to be asked twice and at the first chance closes with a comfortable volley: 6-2
Second set – The start seems to be a repeat of the first set, with the Russians immediately up 40-0 on their service game. But the shock arrives suddenly. The Italians recover, earn a break point and Errani easily closes the net with a smash. Break, 1-0. The advantage calms the Italians, and agitates Andreeva and Schnaider. At 2-0, here are three more consecutive break points, but this time none of them hit the target. The appointment with the double break is only postponed. Double fault by Schnaider and 4-1 for Italy. The set is now decided, and Andreeva’s backhand at mid-net gives the entire set away: 6-1.
Super tie break– Sara Errani takes the stage, dominates at the net and brings home the first mini-break: 2-0. The Russians react, Andreeva recovers the disadvantage, but Schnaider gives away again with a long forehand: 4-2 Italy. The Italians do not give up, resist and then strike again. Again with Errani, perfect at the net. Double mini-break and 7-3. Schnaider recovers one with the forehand, but then misses the slap volley that sends Errani and Paolini to match points. Specifically, two. The first is enough. Andreeva misses the forehand: 10-7.
