Errani and Paolini surge into WTA Finals with bold tactics
The Italian duo, fueled by Olympic momentum and lessons from last year’s shortfall, overcomes Riyadh’s swift courts to down Muhammad and Schuurs, setting sights on an undefeated run for supremacy.
In the charged atmosphere of King Saud University Indoor Arena, Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini kicked off their 2025 WTA Finals campaign with a decisive 6-3, 6-3 victory over Asia Muhammad and Demi Schuurs. As top seeds in the Martina Navratilova Group, the Olympic gold medalists from Paris adapted quickly to the fast indoor hard courts, blending baseline precision with net approaches to secure the opener in 1 hour and 17 minutes. This assertive performance, a clear step up from their round-robin exit in Riyadh last year, underscores a team primed to chase the year-end title and potentially the World No. 1 doubles ranking.
Adapting to speed with proactive play
The arena’s conditions demanded a tactical shift, where the ball flies low and points unfold rapidly, compelling the Italians to abandon prolonged rallies for shorter, sharper exchanges. Errani’s enhanced serve launched one–two combinations, while Paolini’s inside-out forehands opened angles for down-the-line finishes, disrupting the American-Dutch pair’s returns. Their willingness to serve and volley more frequently neutralized Schuurs’ net presence and Muhammad’s steady baseline game, turning the match into a showcase of evolved aggression.
Errani highlighted the challenges of the environment, noting how lobs become unreliable amid the pace. She explained that the duo must rethink their approach, prioritizing net rushes over baseline standoffs to keep rallies brief and capitalize on the surface’s zip.
“It was a very tough match ... the ball is flying, it’s not easy to do lobs,” Errani said afterward. “We have to change a little bit the way we play; we have to be more aggressive. In other places, we maybe stay at the baseline both; here, maybe more serve and volley, go to the net much more, the points are very short. We have to be more aggressive, and we did it.”
Momentum builds through resilient breaks
From a 2-2 stalemate in the first set, Errani and Paolini ignited their surge by saving three break points on Paolini’s serve in the fifth game, then claiming the next three games with crosscourt patterns that forced errors. The crowd’s growing energy amplified their focus, as underspin slices from Errani kept the ball low, setting up Paolini’s aggressive volleys at the net. This sequence not only swung the set but echoed the mental toughness forged during their undefeated season leading into Riyadh.
In the second set, Muhammad and Schuurs mounted a comeback, winning three straight games after trailing 2-0 to briefly take the lead, testing the Italians’ composure with powerful returns. Yet Errani and Paolini responded with four consecutive games, using inside-in forehands to pull opponents off the court and seal the match decisively. The back-and-forth highlighted their ability to reset under pressure, a key evolution since last year’s group-stage stumble.
Evening the score while chasing perfection
This result evened the head-to-head at one apiece this season, avenging a straight-sets defeat to Muhammad and Schuurs at the BNP Paribas Open in March while reinforcing their US Open quarterfinal win over the same opponents. The contrast in surfaces played out vividly: New York’s slower outdoor courts suited Errani’s defensive depth, but Riyadh’s speed favored Paolini’s proactive inside-out shots to counter Schuurs’ overheads. Such versatility, honed through Olympic success on clay, positions the duo to navigate the group’s challenges.
Last year, Errani and Paolini started strong with one round-robin win but finished 1-2 overall, missing the semifinals despite high expectations. An unblemished record now could deliver their first WTA Finals crown and the year-end No. 1 spot, contingent on Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova securing fewer than two group victories. For ongoing updates, follow the WTA Finals: Scores, Draws, and Order of play.
With Townsend and Siniakova up next, the Italians’ blend of tactical sharpness and unyielding belief—tempered by a season of triumphs—promises a Riyadh run that could redefine their legacy, transforming past near-misses into enduring dominance on the doubles stage.
