Paolini comes from set down to reach Italian Open semifinals

Jasmine Paolini rallied past Diana Shnaider 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2 in the Italian Open quarterfinals Tuesday to become the first Italian woman to reach the semifinals in Rome since her doubles partner, Sara Errani, lost the 2014 final to Serena Williams.

Paolini was trailing 3-0 in the second set when the match was briefly stopped due to rain. Shnaider went on to hold serve and go ahead 4-0 after the suspension but then Paolini won six straight games to take the set.

"It was a good thing that it rained for five minutes. I got some coaching from Sara," Paolini said of Errani, who was watching from the stands.

When Paolini took control in the third set, the crowd began singing, "Ole, Ole, Ole; Jas-mine, Jas-mine."

Paolini's semifinal opponent will be either two-time Rome champion Elina Svitolina or Peyton Stearns, who were playing later.

The last Italian woman to win the Italian Open was Raffaella Reggi, who took the title in 1985 in Taranto.