Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini captured the first WTA 1000 doubles title of the season at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open on Saturday, February 15, 2025, with a thrilling 7-5, 7-6(10) win over Jiang Xinyu and Wu Fang-Hsien. The victory marked another milestone for the Italians, who previously held the 2024 WTA Doubles Team of the Year title and are now 3-0 in WTA 1000 finals as partners, with earlier victories coming in Rome and Beijing.
The final was anything but straightforward for Errani and Paolini, who faced off against unseeded opponents Jiang and Wu, the latter having already been impressive throughout the tournament. The unseeded duo proved to be formidable competitors, having taken out the No. 2 seeds Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko earlier. This match, which extended to nearly two hours, showcased high-stakes moments as both teams battled on the court.
The first set presented its own challenges as Errani and Paolini found themselves saving two set points before eventually claiming the set. The tension escalated as they trailed 5-3 at one point during the second set. This comeback showcased their resilience and teamwork, with the pair pushing through to force the match to finish with a tiebreak, highlighting their fight against the odds.
During the gripping tiebreak, Errani and Paolini needed seven championship points to secure their triumph; the first opportunity came during the 12th game of the set. Jiang and Wu, displaying significant skill and determination, era through three more championship points, adding to the dramatic tension of the match. Remarkably, even with the tension, both teams maintained composure, with the atmosphere momentarily halted during a brief rain delay, allowing players to regroup.
Paolini revealed her thoughts post-match, saying, "It was a really tough match ... they are playing amazing." She highlighted the unpredictable nature of doubles tennis which can shift dramatically based on point decisions, stating, "Doubles, it's a little bit tricky with the deciding point and the tiebreak. Yesterday [when they saved match points to beat Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider] we were a little bit lucky, today maybe a little bit as well. It's been a special week here." Her reflections encapsulate the blend of skill and fortune often evident within the sport.
Errani's victory has personal significance as she previously triumphed twelve years ago at the Doha tournament with her former partner Roberta Vinci. Reflecting on her long career, she mentioned during the trophy presentation, "a long time ago!" highlighting the joy of returning to Doha to capture her total of eight WTA 1000 doubles titles.
This win not only adds to their impressive accolades but also sets the tone for the rest of their season as they continue to solidify their status on the WTA tour. With their scoring efficiency and determination on display throughout the final, Errani and Paolini’s path forward looks promising as they seek to add more titles to their growing collection.
Overall, the match was defined by high-level tennis, strategic play, and the palpable tension of championship moments. For fans of the sport, this showdown exemplified the spirit of competition and marked the beginning of what promises to be an exciting year of women's tennis.