Errani and Paolini break through: first WTA Finals semifinal secured
Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini head into their final WTA Finals group match with first place already secured: a 3-6, 6-2, 10-7 victory over Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez earned their first semifinal appearance together at the season-ending event.[1][2]
The match took place on Tuesday, November 10 in Indian Wells; the WTA report is dated November 11, so this is not a result from today.[1]
Their response to losing the opening set changed the match: Gazzetta describes an early break in the second set and the Italians taking control before the match tiebreak.[2]
The official tour report records a playing time of one hour and 29 minutes and their second win in three meetings with this opposing team.[1]
Two wins from two matches have taken Errani and Paolini beyond the group stage for the first time in their third WTA Finals appearance as a pair.[1]
Their final match against Ellen Perez and Demi Schuurs no longer determines qualification: the WTA confirms that the Italians have clinched first place and their opponents have been eliminated.[1]
The next milestone is still ahead: the official schedule places the semifinals on Saturday, November 14 and the finals on Sunday, November 15.[3]
They have broken through the round-robin barrier, not already won the championship.[1][3]
## Sources
[1] https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4607688/errani-paolini-first-to-reach-fage-wta-finals-doubles-semis-townsend-siniakova-stay-alive — sport source 1
[2] https://www.gazzetta.it/Tennis/WTA/10-11-2026/tennis-wta-finals-pegula-batte-kostyuk.shtml — sport source 2
[3] https://www.wtatennis.com/news/4599683/wta-finals-indian-wells-2026-everything-you-need-to-know-schedule-groups-prize-money — sport source 3