Italy's Jasmine Paolini shakes off a slow start to beat American Peyton Stearns and reach the final of the Italian Open.

Coco Gauff needed three and a half hours to get past Zheng Qinwen in three sets Thursday to reach the Italian Open final, where she'll face Jasmine Paolini.

Paolini saved three set points before gaining control in a 7-5, 6-1 win over American opponent Peyton Stearns on Thursday to become the first Italian woman to reach the final in Rome since her doubles partner, Sara Errani, lost the 2014 championship match to Serena Williams.