Paolini and 'legend' Errani win women's doubles title

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6 hours ago

French Open 2025Dates: 25 May-8 June Venue: Roland GarrosCoverage: Live radio commentaries across 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app
Jasmine Paolini called partner Sara Errani a "legend" and an "inspiration" after they clinched the French Open women's doubles title.Errani and Paolini beat Kazakh Anna Danilina and Serb Aleksandra Krunic 6-4 2-6 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier.The Italian duo won Olympic gold on the same court in Paris last summer and have now added a first Grand Slam title together to their growing collection.Paolini, 29, reached both the women's singles and doubles final at last year's French Open but lost in the fourth round of this year's singles."I want to thank Sara," Paolini said. "It has been her last tournament in singles here and I want to say thank you very much. You are an inspiration for me."You are a great champion and a great person. You have made me a better player and it's great to share these special moments with you. You are a legend."
Errani, 38, previously said this would be her last time playing singles at Roland Garros and she ultimately lost in the second round of qualifying.She had already completed the doubles Golden Slam - winning each of the four majors - but now boast six Grand Slam titles to her name, including two at the French Open.Errani also won the mixed doubles title alongside compatriot Andrea Vavassori on Thursday."This is the best court in the world, I have the best memories here and it's so special for me," Errani said."Sometimes you are not enjoying it 100% because you can't stop and feel it, but right now I'm feeling it. "I'm trying to realise what we are doing and it's so big. Winning a Grand Slam is such a big thing."Second seeds Errani and Paolini had not dropped a set en route to the final but were taken the distance by Danilina and Krunic.Errani and Paolini broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set but Danilina and Krunic hit straight back, restoring parity with a break of their own at the fifth attempt.The Italians wrapped up a 55-minute set with a break of serve in the 10th game, signalling another routine victory could be on the cards.But Danilina and Krunic came out fighting, earning two breaks to get on the board and force a decider.That momentum was quickly wrestled away, though, when Krunic and Danilina were each broken on their first service games and their Italian rivals raced to the finish line.