The Italian looked simply unplayable for much of the match, victorious 6-4, 6-2 over the world No. 3 in just 90 minutes.

The result will have been extra sweet for Paolini, becoming the first Italian singles champion in Rome in 40 years, just the second in the Open Era (after Raffaella Reggi).

"I don't have the words, it's been an incredible two weeks," exclaimed Paolini.

"I was trying to just focus on the match, trying to repeat to myself that you have you stay there for every ball, but, at the beginning, I was feeling great, the best match that I've played here.

"It was a great final, I'm really happy about the win, in front of the home crowd, my family, my team, and the president, so it's amazing."

Coming into the match, it was the American who led the head-to-head 2-1, but Paolini managed to notch a win during their latest clay-court meeting in Stuttgart.

"Against Coco, I had to raise the level compared to the past few matches," the Italian said.

"She's coming for another final so she was playing good, but you can do it. You have to stay on the court and do whatever you think is right, and just keep going.

"This is something special, to win here in Rome is special. I was coming to watch this tournament with my family, with my father, my father was there, and I don't know if he was crying, but it's a dream."

Paolini is the first Italian female singles player to win at least one title at WTA 1000 level or above on multiple surfaces, having won the title in Dubai in 2024 with a three-set victory over Anna Kalinskaya.

"I have had a great week," Gauff said, during the trophy presentation.

"I've been here so many times, made the semis twice, so I was happy to get to the final. Jasmine, you're an amazing person and player, and congratulations on this amazing achievement.

"It's always tough playing you."

Despite her defeat in the final, the American will rise to the world No. 2 spot, matching her career-best ranking which she first achieved in June 2024.

Whilst the climb means that she cannot face Aryna Sabalenka before the final in Paris, Gauff has made clear that the only goal in her mind - when it comes to ranking - is the world No. 1 spot.

"No, I'm going to be honest, it's [the ranking] not important to me, honestly," Gauff admitted, during the Madrid Masters

"I mean, the only number that would mean a lot to me is 1 at this point. But, yeah, anything anywhere else is just, it's just a number.

"So, yeah, but, I mean, obviously it's a reward for the work that I'm doing and the consistency that I'm showing, but it's not something that I think about or have a goal to reach."

As a result of the title lift, Paolini secured a top-4 seeding for Roland Garros - leapfrogging defending champion Iga Swiatek.

However, Paolini is not finished yet in Rome, as she will seek to defend her doubles title alongside Sara Errani against Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens in the women's doubles showpiece match on Sunday.

READ MORE: Donald Ramphadi aims to up his world ranking at the upcoming Barcelona Open

Teams	M	W	L	PTS	NET RR
Vanuatu	2	2	0	4	2.363
Samoa	2	1	1	2	0.905
Fiji	2	1	1	2	-0.816
Cook Islands	2	0	2	0	-2.753

Finished ICC Mens T20 World Cup Sub Regional East Asia-Pacific Qualifier A