SARA Errani and Jasmine Paolini are the champions of women’s doubles at the 2024 Olympics, after they defeat AIN pair Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider 2-6, 6-1, [10-7].

In the first set the Italians only held their first service game and their third as the AIN pair were too strong, but in the second set it was a different story. They broke their opponents in the very first game of the set, and although the AIN pair held serve in their next game, that would be the only game they would win for the set. The Italians then raced out to a 7-3 lead in the tie breaker, and despite an AIN fightback it proved futile as Italy held firm to take the win.

Although the AIN pair recorded the only ace of the match, they also recorded the only double faults of the game, recording three of them overall. despite the Italian duo recording more forced errors, they crucially recorded less unforced errors than their vanquished opponents.

This was a historic win for the Italian pair.

The win saw Errani complete the Career Gold Slam after she won all four women’s doubles Grand Slams with Roberta Vinci in the early 2010s. It was also the first Olympic gold medal in any of the tennis events for Italy, and the first medal of any colour for Italian women.  

Spain scores bronze in smooth win

Meanwhile earlier in the bronze medal match, it was the Spanish pair Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo who emerged victorious for the bronze medal, defeating Czech pair Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova 6-2, 6-2.

In a match that lasted almost an hour and a quarter, the Spanish had significantly better serving which helped them on their way to the win. The Czech pair also recorded significantly more unforced errors (26 compared to eight).

Despite not ultimately winning the tournament it was still a strong run from the Spanish pair, who are a relatively new pairing as this was only their second ever tournament competing together.