Viva Italia as Errani-Paolini prevail

Their first Grand Slam doubles triumph together atoned for the disappointment of a year ago when they fell short in the Roland-Garros final to Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova.

For 38-year-old Errani, it capped a dream double after she also won the mixed doubles with Andrea Vavassori – the first Italians since 1958 to win that event.

It also marked her sixth women’s doubles major and first in Paris in 12 years.

“I can say that this is the best court in the world. I have the best memories here and it's so special,” Errani said. “Thanks to Jas. It's so special. You have such good energy every day that you give to me and I'm really happy to share this moment with you.

“It's tough because it's tennis and we never stop every day. I feel so many good things in Rome (winning the women’s doubles), mixed doubles (in Paris) and you just try not to be too happy because you have to continue another day.

“So you just try to be focused every day and maybe you're not enjoying 100 per cent what is happening because you cannot stop and feel it, but right now I feel it and I’m trying to realise what we are doing is so big – winning a Grand Slam, it's the best thing in the world.”

Paolini, who reached the singles and doubles finals last year, was elated she had finally broken through for her first Grand Slam silverware.

“It is a great way to finish, of course, with a trophy,” she said. “I was also a bit nervous before the match because I wanted to get the trophy this year.

“Last year we were close to it, and I remember that we could do a better performance last year, but happy that this year we managed to win.”

She paid special tribute to her experienced doubles partner, who retired from singles after falling in qualifying this year.

“I'm really, really happy about this title. Last year we lost in the final and it was a bit tough. We get the trophy this year so it's amazing,” Paolini said. “It's been (Sara’s) last tournament in singles here and I'd like to say to her thank you very much. You really are an inspiration for me.

“You are a great champion, a great person, maybe an even better person. You made me a better player, I guess … You are a legend for me.”

For Kazakhstan’s Danilina and Serbia’s Krunic, it marked just their third tournament together and first at a major and while they took it to the second seeds for almost two hours in which sets were split, they were ultimately outplayed in the decider.

Danilina finished runner-up in the 2022 Australian Open women’s doubles final alongside Beatriz Haddad Maia, while for Krunic, this was her first major title match.

“I was practising this speech in the shower many times during all these years,” Krunic said. “When you're 32 years old and this is your first Grand Slam final there is a lot of people to thank … Sarita (Errani), a double crown – impressive.

“You're a couple of years older than me so you're giving me hope this is just the beginning for me … Anna, we decided to play together three days before the deadline. Kudos to Anna. She took the Aleksandra Krunic charity case. I was (world) No.80. She could get in with anyone but I kind of pushed her and she said yes to play with me. I'm glad that I didn't completely embarrass her.”