Stearns wins historic third-set tiebreak to enter maiden Rome SF

IANS May 14, 2025 167 views

Peyton Stearns made history at the Italian Open with a thrilling victory over Elina Svitolina, becoming the first player in the Open Era to win three consecutive WTA main-draw matches in third-set tiebreaks. Her journey to the semifinals included triumphs over top players Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka, showcasing her resilience and skill. Stearns's achievement marks her as the first American woman since Venus Williams in 1998 to reach this stage in Rome. She now faces top Italian Jasmine Paolini, continuing her quest for a memorable tournament at her Rome debut.

"Point by point, point after point, I found a way -- I fought until the end." - Jasmine Paolini
Rome, May 14: Peyton Stearns made history at the Italian Open with her latest nail-biting victory over No. 16 seed Elina Svitolina in a thrilling quarterfinal match as she became the first player in the Open Era to win three consecutive WTA main-draw matches in third-set tiebreaks.

Key Points

1

Stearns wins three consecutive third-set tiebreakers

2

Beats Grand Slam champs Keys and Osaka previously

3

First American in Rome SF since Venus in 1998

After seeing a 6-2, 4-2 lead slip through her fingers, unseeded American Stearns rallied from a double-break down in the third set to outlast No. 16 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(4) in two hours and 38 minutes.

In her last two rounds, Stearns toppled Grand Slam champions Madison Keys and Naomi Osaka in third-set tiebreaks, setting up her history-making streak. Her upset of World No.6 Keys was her career-best win by opponent ranking.

She is the first player to make the semifinals at her Rome main-draw debut since Daria Saville

in 2015, and the first American woman to do so since Venus Williams in 1998, WTA reports.

Ranked World No. 42, Stearns is into the first WTA 1000 semifinal of her career, which guarantees her a new career-high ranking in Monday's updated WTA Rankings. It will potentially also garner her a first-ever Grand Slam seeding at Roland Garros.

Stearns will takes on top Italian Jasmine Paolini on Thursday. No. 6 seed Paolini advanced to her first Rome semifinal with a three-set win over No. 13 seed Diana Shnaider on Tuesday.

Paolini is only the fifth Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the final four in Rome -- and the first since doubles partner Sara Errani did it 11 years ago.

“It was really tough match. I’m really happy that I get through. But was a roller coaster. Point by point, point after point, I found a way -- I fought until the end. The crowd, of course, helped me. So I’m really happy with the win," Paolini, who reached her third WTA 1000 semifinal, after Dubai 2024 and Miami 2025, told reporters.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.
What an incredible achievement by Stearns! To win three straight matches in tiebreaks shows real mental strength. Hope our Indian players can learn from this never-give-up attitude. Tennis needs more such exciting matches! 🇮🇳🎾
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Priya M.
As an Indian tennis fan, I'm happy for Stearns but disappointed no Indian women players are reaching these levels. Our BCCI should invest more in tennis infrastructure like they do for cricket. So much untapped potential!
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Ankit S.
The Italian crowd support for Paolini was amazing! Wish Indian sports fans showed this kind of passion beyond just cricket matches. Imagine if we had this energy for our tennis players at home tournaments 🤩
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Sneha R.
Stearns' performance reminds me of Sania Mirza's fighting spirit in her prime. Hope this inspires young Indian girls to take up tennis seriously. We need more Indian women in Grand Slam draws!
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Vikram J.
While Stearns' achievement is impressive, the WTA needs to address why so many matches are going to third-set tiebreaks. Is it lack of fitness or too much defensive play? The game is becoming predictable sometimes.
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Neha P.
Paolini vs Stearns will be fire! 🎾 Though I support Paolini as the home favorite, Stearns has shown she's the queen of comebacks. Either way, women's tennis is getting more exciting than men's these days!

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Tags:
Peyton Stearns Elina Svitolina Rome Semifinals WTA Tennis Italian Open