Jasmine Paolini's title defence at the Italian Open came to a dramatic end on Friday evening at the Foro Italico. Elise Mertens saved three match points to complete a stunning comeback, winning 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in over two and a half hours.
The Belgian, who now holds a 5-2 career advantage over the Italian, found her deepest reserves when everything seemed lost. Paolini served for the match at 6-5 in the second set with three match points. Three chances to seal the win in front of her home crowd. Three chances squandered.
Mertens refused to fold, winning the crucial points with remarkable composure to force the tiebreak. She took it 7-5, seizing the momentum with a blend of patience and precision.
The third set was a formality. Paolini, visibly shaken by the turnaround, could not find answers against a liberated opponent. Mertens broke early and controlled the final set to close out 6-3 without alarm.
For Paolini, the disappointment runs deep. The world No.9 dreamed of retaining her title before the Roman crowd, but she joins world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka among the high-profile casualties of this 2026 edition. Both top favourites are out before the round of 16.
Mertens recorded her first Top 10 win since defeating Jessica Pegula in Rome last year. She will next face Mirra Andreeva or Viktorija Golubic for a quarterfinal spot. The women's draw is wide open.
