Jasmine Paolini to Miss Dream Run in Rome

Jasmine Paolini, the defending champion of the Italian Open, was eliminated in the third round of the tournament following a loss to Elise Mertens. The defeat ends Paolini’s attempt to retain her title on the Roman clay, where she had achieved significant success the previous year.

The match, played at the Campo Centrale, concluded with Mertens securing a victory with a final score of 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3. The result marks a surprising exit for the No. 9 seed, who had entered the match as the favorite to progress.

Match Progression and Critical Turning Points

Paolini began the match with strong momentum, overcoming an early break of serve to claim the first set 6-4. She continued this form into the second set, establishing a 4-2 lead following a series of breaks.

However, the No. 21 seed Mertens managed to level the score. The match reached a critical juncture at 5-6 in the second set, while Mertens was serving to stay in the match. Paolini held three match points during this game, but Mertens saved all three to force a tiebreak.

Mertens ultimately won the tiebreak 7-5, pushing the contest into a deciding third set. The final set remained competitive as the two players traded breaks of serve. Mertens eventually broke again to establish a 4-2 lead and successfully fended off a break point to maintain her advantage and close out the match.

Following the victory, Mertens offered an apology to the crowd at Campo Centrale, acknowledging the disappointment of the home fans seeing the local favorite eliminated.

Impact on World Rankings

The loss is expected to have immediate consequences for Paolini’s standing in the professional rankings. Based on the results, Paolini is projected to drop out of the world’s top 10 for the first time in nearly two years.

This exit concludes a 100-week consecutive run for the Italian player within the elite group of the world’s top 10 tennis players.

Historical Context of the Italian Open

The result contrasts sharply with Paolini’s performance in May 2025. During that tournament, she completed a double victory at her home event. She won the singles title by defeating Coco Gauff and also secured the doubles trophy alongside partner Sara Errani.

For Mertens, the victory represents a significant turnaround in her 2026 season. Prior to this third-round win, the 30-year-old had managed to win only one match during the calendar year.