Gauff and Siniakova secure doubles glory

"This is my third final, so third time's a charm. We decided two days before the tournament to play together, it was very last minute," said Gauff, surprised to be a singles and doubles major winner at just 20-years-old.

"Doubles, I definitely didn't think it would happen to me, to be frank. I think that was one of the few times in my life after I lost the first two finals, I thought, 'well, okay, I reached that point, maybe I should focus on singles.'

"I think it's just one of those things that when you least expect it to happen, it happens. Same thing, US Open (2023), when I won it, I didn't expect to win. I was having a really bad year. Then here, I didn't even expect to play.

"I think it's funny how life teaches you those lessons that sometimes it's better just to be relaxed and the good things will happen."

Paolini, singles runner-up on Saturday, and Gauff traded scorching forehands before the Italian split the American-Czech duo with a strike down the middle.

The reflexes from this high-quality quartet were sharp from the off although neither team could dictate on serve, sending the first to a tie-break where a 98-mph forehand from Paolini helped launch the No.11 seeds 3-1 up.

Siniakova, who has a achieved a career Golden Slam – all four majors and Olympic gold – in doubles, knows how to switch up the momentum. The 28-year-old swept away two volleyed winners from 4-5 to 6-5 and Gauff's punchy overhead sent them to the changeover a set ahead.

Gauff's range at the back and Siniakova's silky net play complemented each other seamlessly as they ran to 4-1 ahead in the second set.

Paolini somehow retrieved a volley on the forehand side with an improvised backhand swing, the singles finalist showing her recent form with impressive shotmaking to break back.

With the Italians forcing the issue, the rallies raised to another level. But Siniakova and Gauff were equal to the task, their touch at the net was rock solid and the American served out a memorable day in her favourite city.  

"I think because we are really good players, singles and doubles, I think it wasn't so hard and we know each other well," said Siniakova, reflecting on their instant success as a first-time partnership.

"We kind of needed to figure out how the other one is playing, but from my side, that we had no problem with it. We really trusted each other, and I think the combination was working really well. Of course when we won two, three matches, it was really helping and we got the confidence. For first time it was really, really good."

It's been 48 hours of final heartbreak, mixed in with immense pride for Paolini, who lost out in the women's singles final to Iga Swiatek.

"Today is tough to accept that. I think it's been two, almost three weeks here, and they are of course positive weeks, so we have to be happy with these days," said Paolini.

"It's been intense, emotional, very nice, I have a lot of good memories. I can't wait to be back at one of the most beautiful places in the world for tennis players."