Tennis: Errani-Paolini win the first at the WTA Finals

The first one was good. Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini leave with a precious victory at the WTA tennis Finals in Indian Wells.

The Italian doubles pair came from behind to beat the number 1s in the draw, Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend, 4-6, 6-1, 10-8. It is the first victory for the Italians in three direct matches, after the two defeats this year in the semi-final in Indian Wells and in the final in Miami

The Italians suffer their first break in the third game (1-2) and risk going 1-4 down. But in the fifth game, with Paolini serving, they recovered from 0-30, helped by a passer along the line by Paolini and by Sara's reflexes in front of the net. The match could change in the eighth game, when Siniakova and Townsend, on the Czech's serve, slipped behind 15-40, but saved the three break points, including the decisive point. The Italians in turn canceled three break points, which represented as many set points, in the following game, which also ended on the decisive point. But Townsend completes the set with an ace to exit.

"We didn't play well in the first set, but we tried to stay in the game and always be aggressive, and the match changed," Errani said after the match. In fact, the direction of the match changed immediately: two consecutive breaks put the Italian team ahead 5-0. The energy in this phase of the match is enthralling and translates into fast, brilliant tennis and never banal rallies. And the second ends 6-1.

Siniakova and Townsend, who completed the Career Grand Slam in doubles this year by winning the US Open, however did not leave the field open to the Italians and transformed the tie-break match into a point-to-point duel, concluded by Siniakova with a backhand from the center to mid-net.

"We did a great job - admits Paolini after the match - but we're not finished yet. On paper this was the most difficult match of the group, but not on the pitch, because in any case there are all games to be played". Errani and Paolini's journey in group 2 will continue against the number 4 in the draw, the Spanish Cristina Bucsa and the American Nicole Melichar-Martinez, who this year reached two finals paired with Errani in Berlin and Toronto.