The journey of the Italian doubles composed of Jasmine Paolini and Sara Errani at the WTA 1000 in Madrid ends in the round of 16. The two Italians, returning from the great success they achieved together at the Paris Olympics, were unable to replicate the magic on Spanish soil, coming out defeated in two sets with a net score of 6-1, 6-3 against the solid pair formed by Belgian Elise Mertens and Russian Veronika Kudermetova.

The defeat leaves a lot of bitterness in the mouth, especially considering that Paolini and Errani were starting with the favor of the odds, being credited as the number 2 seed in the tournament. However, the Mertens-Kudermetova pair set their own pace from the start, showing greater solidity on serve and great understanding in the key moments of the match.

It didn’t go any better at the individual level for Jasmine Paolini either, who in the singles draw had to surrender in the second round (round of 16) against Maria Sakkarī. The Greek tennis player, number 8 in the seeding, dominated the match, imposing herself 6-2, 6-1 and leaving little room for the Italian player.

With Paolini’s elimination also from the singles, the Italian women’s presence at the Madrid Open 2025 definitively ends. A participation that leaves more questions than certainties ahead of the clay court season, which now shifts to the big spring events, with the Foro Italico in Rome and especially Roland Garros just around the corner.

For Paolini and Errani, however, there remains the knowledge that they form a pair of great experience and potential. The goal will be to regain the best feelings soon in order to return as protagonists in the upcoming tournaments.

Sunday, April 27 at 8:45 p.m. at the Velodrome in Marseille will be staged the match worth the 31st day of Ligue 1 between Olympique Marseille and Brest. The hosts are currently a fourth in the standings, in the midst of the Champions League race, with 55 points from 30 days.

Eric Roy’s Brest, on the other hand, is currently ninth in the standings with 44 points from 30 days.

Roberto De Zerbi’s team is expected to rely on a 3-4-2-1 for the challenge against Brest. Rulli should start in goal, with the defensive trio in front of him consisting of:Garcia, Murillo and Kondogbia. Two central midfielders should instead be Rongier and Højbjerg. On the flanks will most likely act, on the left Merlin, and on the right Henrique. Behind the only forward, which will most likely be Gouiri, there will be Rabiot and Greenwood.

Brest, on the other hand, should rely on a classic 4-3-3. Between the posts should come down Coudert, with the two center-backs in front of him expected to be Chardonnet and Cardinal.

The two full-backs will most likely be: left Haidara and right Fernandes.

The midfield trio, on the other hand, should consist of Magnetti, Melou and Camara. On the flanks, on the other hand, Sima on the left and Lage on the right will act. The only point will be Balde.

Probable lineups

Olympique Marseille (3-4-2-1): Rulli, Garcia, Murillo, Kondogbia; Rongier, Højbjerg; Merlin, Henrique; Gouiri,Rabiot,Greenwood. All: Roberto De Zerbi

Brest (4-3-3): Coudert, Chardonnet, Cardinal; Haidara, Fernandes; Magnetti, Melou, Camara; Sima, Lage, Balde. All: Eric Roy

Florentin beat Empoli 2-1 and remain in the race for fourth place and Champions League qualification. The Viola won the Tuscan derby thanks to goals from Adli and Mandragora and climbed to 59 points, -1 from the coveted fourth place. Empoli, on the other hand, remains second-to-last tied with Venezia on 25 points.

Palladino’s team took the lead immediately on 7′ with Adli, well served in depth by Gudmundsson, and then doubled it on 25′ with Mandragora, scoring in a half reverse on a suggestion from the same French ex-Amilan player.

In the resumption, Empoli came back into the game scoring the goal of hope with Fazzini, good at finalizing Goglichidze’s low cross, the violets did not flinch and came close to the tris with Gudmundsson and Mandragora.

In the final game De Gea took the lead, twice saying no to Kovalenko sealing the Viola’s victory.