Tennis: Italians Paolini and Errani speed into Olympic doubles final

PARIS: Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani eased past Czech duo Karolina Muchova and Linda Noskova 6-3 6-2 in the women's doubles semi-final on Friday to ensure a first tennis medal for Italy since 1924.

The straight-sets victory offered some comfort for world number five Paolini after she was knocked out in the third round of the singles by unseeded Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova.

Five-time Grand Slam women's doubles champion Errani caught Muchova by surprise with an under-arm serve on match point as the Italians clinched victory in just over an hour.

"It's a dream come true. I always had in my head the Olympics. And to be here, in this final, is unbelievable for me," former French Open singles runner-up Errani told reporters.

"An Olympic medal has always been my goal, and to achieve it at my final shot is incredible."

Paolini and Errani, who lost in the French Open final at the same venue in June, will face the winner of the other semi between Spain's Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes and Russians Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider, who are competing as neutral athletes.

"It feels great," Paolini who reached both the French Open and Wimbledon finals this year, told reporters.

"It's something special to have a medal in the Olympic Games, it's every four years. So it's something really tough to do. And I'm happy that we managed to do it."

Another Italian, Lorenzo Musetti, faces world number two Novak Djokovic in the men's singles semi-finals later on Friday.