Jasmine Paolini qualified easily for Second round of the Australian Open when wonderful this tuesday over Chinese Wei Sijia by a resounding 6-0 and 6-4. The Italian is therefore relishing his return to the Grand Slam that brought him glory last year.
The blossoming Paolini was a revelation in 2024, reaching the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, and qualifying for the WTA Finals.
As if that wasn’t enough, she also won a gold medal in women’s doubles at the Paris Olympics partnering Sara Errani and led Italy to its fifth Billie Jean King Cup title in November.
now, The 29-year-old will aim to win his first Grand Slam title at Melbourne Parkwhere last year he reached the fourth round after never winning a main draw match of the tournament.
«Last year I came here like, ‘Please, I want to win a match at this Slam.’», he laughingly told the press after defeating Wei in just over an hour at the Margaret Court Arena.
« Then what happened happened, so I can breathe a little easier. I love the tournament, I love the city and of course I love the people». Paolini has a lot going for him in Melbourne, where he has a friendly draw and no hope of facing a Top 10 player until the quarter-finals.
Elena Rybakinasixth seed, is his highest-ranked rival ahead of a possible semi-final against Iga Swiateknumber two in the world. Paolini’s rise to fame coincided with the rise of Jannik Sinner on the men’s circuit, and both pushed Italian tennis to new heights.
World number one Sinner won the Australian Open and the US Open last year, so Italian fans are lucky to have players to cheer for in the singles finals of all the Grand Slams in 2024. She will face Mexican Renata Zarazua for a place in the third round.
Although wowGrand Slam debutant, offered little resistance in the first setPaolini had to work hard in the second. Paolini had to step up his game to take out Wei, who he broke in the fifth game with a forehand winner.
Wei saves a match point at 5-3but Paolini served in the next game and went on the attack with a cross-court forehand winner that drew applause from the large Italian audience.
“I’m very happy, of course,” declared Paolini. “It’s not always easy to play in the first round. Today I had a solid serve. It’s great to be back in Australia».
Source: La Verdad
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