Home comfort as Errani storms into Rome final
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SARA Errani became the first home player to reach the Italian Open final in nearly 30 years yesterday, and Novak Djokovic advanced to the championship match on the men’s side.
Using vocal crowd support in Rome to her advantage, the 10th-seeded Errani fought back from a 1-4 deficit in the second set for a 6-3, 7-5 win over sixth-seeded Jelena Jankovic, while Djokovic took his time before figuring out Milos Raonic’s massive serve for a 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory.
Errani’s opponent in today’s final will be either defending champion Serena Williams or 11th-seeded Ana Ivanovic, who were playing later.
Djokovic will meet either seven-time Rome champion Rafael Nadal or Grigor Dimitrov.
While Djokovic’s match was highly tactical, with Raonic serving near 230 kilometers per hour and firing 16 aces, Errani drew emotion from the fans.
“There were a few moments when I thought I might not pull it off but the fans were huge,” said Errani, who is attempting to become the first Italian to win the tournament since Raffaella Reggi took the 1985 title in Taranto.
The last Italian man to win was Adriano Panatta back in 1976.
It’s already Errani’s best result since reaching the 2012 French Open final, and gives her momentum heading back to Roland Garros next week.
Jankovic, the 2007 and 2008 Rome champion, repeatedly asked the chair umpire to come down and check marks but none of them were overturned, resulting only in the crowd stepping up its encouragement for Errani.
“Just do it, Sara. Just do it, Sara,” the fans cheered late in the second set.
The highly partisan crowd frequently applauded Errani while points were still being played and cheered even when Jankovic double faulted.
“(The crowd) was all on her side but it’s normal, she’s the local player,” the Serb said. “I tried to stay focused on my game, and play my tennis but she was the better player today.”
Errani was playing in the doubles semifinals later and her partner Roberta Vinci sat in her box to provide emotional support. Her parents and brother were on hand, too. “Having them here is key,” Errani said. “They give me that extra motivation so I’m not just playing for myself but for them, too, and that makes me even stronger.”
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