Italy's Paolini to play Swiatek in French
Published: 05:06 PM,Jun 06,2024 | EDITED : 09:06 PM,Jun 06,2024
TOPSHOT - Italy's Jasmine Paolini celebrates after winning against Russia's Mirra Andreeva at the end of their women's singles semi final match on Court Philippe-Chatrier on day twelve of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Complex in Paris on June 6, 2024. (Photo by Emmanuel Dunand / AFP)
PARIS: Jasmine Paolini will play Iga Swiatek in the French Open final after the Italian 12th seed ended the run of 17-year-old Russian sensation Mirra Andreeva in the last four on Thursday, winning 6-3, 6-1.
Paolini is through to her first Grand Slam final at the age of 28. She had never gone beyond the second round of a major before the start of this year.
The world number 15 had won a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances before advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
Now she is one win away from an improbable title at Roland Garros as she tries to emulate compatriot Francesca Schiavone, who won the 2010 French Open. Paolini is also guaranteed to break into the top 10 for the first time.
'I learned I think a little bit later than other players, to dream is the most important thing in sport and in life,' said Paolini.
'I'm happy I could dream this moment. I don't know what to say, I'm so emotional.'
Andreeva had become the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in 27 years with a shock victory over second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the last eight.
But her bid to be crowned the youngest major champion since Martina Hingis at the 1997 US Open was cut short as Andreeva was unable to reproduce the level that saw her put out an ailing Sabalenka.
Paolini snatched the only break of a tight opening set in the fourth game, saving five break chances across her next two service games to keep Andreeva at arm's length.
The errors continued to pile up for Andreeva and Paolini seized her opportunity once more when it arose at 1-1 in the second set, before breaking for a second time to stride towards the finish line.
With Andreeva looking increasingly disconsolate and fighting back tears, Paolini applied the coup de grace with one last break to complete a resounding victory.
Earlier, Swiatek continued her bid for a fourth French Open title with a dominant victory over Coco Gauff to reach another final at Roland Garros.
The world number one is just one match away from becoming the first woman to win the tournament in three straight years since Justine Henin in 2007 after a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
'It was intense, in the second set, it was kind of tight because we were breaking each other, but I'm glad I was consistent in my tactics and just went for it in the end,' she said.
Swiatek saved a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round last week but has barely broken sweat since, losing just 14 games across the next four rounds.
'Something changed, I just adjusted better to the court and it's not easy to play the first matches at a Grand Slam because the atmosphere is much different to other tournaments,' she added.
'And against Noami it was difficult to get into it because she just went for it... I've improved my feel and gained confidence.'
The Pole's career win-loss record at Roland Garros now stands at a staggering 34-2, while she is on a 20-match winning streak at the event. — AFP
Paolini is through to her first Grand Slam final at the age of 28. She had never gone beyond the second round of a major before the start of this year.
The world number 15 had won a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances before advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
Now she is one win away from an improbable title at Roland Garros as she tries to emulate compatriot Francesca Schiavone, who won the 2010 French Open. Paolini is also guaranteed to break into the top 10 for the first time.
'I learned I think a little bit later than other players, to dream is the most important thing in sport and in life,' said Paolini.
'I'm happy I could dream this moment. I don't know what to say, I'm so emotional.'
Andreeva had become the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in 27 years with a shock victory over second seed Aryna Sabalenka in the last eight.
But her bid to be crowned the youngest major champion since Martina Hingis at the 1997 US Open was cut short as Andreeva was unable to reproduce the level that saw her put out an ailing Sabalenka.
Paolini snatched the only break of a tight opening set in the fourth game, saving five break chances across her next two service games to keep Andreeva at arm's length.
The errors continued to pile up for Andreeva and Paolini seized her opportunity once more when it arose at 1-1 in the second set, before breaking for a second time to stride towards the finish line.
With Andreeva looking increasingly disconsolate and fighting back tears, Paolini applied the coup de grace with one last break to complete a resounding victory.
Earlier, Swiatek continued her bid for a fourth French Open title with a dominant victory over Coco Gauff to reach another final at Roland Garros.
The world number one is just one match away from becoming the first woman to win the tournament in three straight years since Justine Henin in 2007 after a 6-2, 6-4 victory.
'It was intense, in the second set, it was kind of tight because we were breaking each other, but I'm glad I was consistent in my tactics and just went for it in the end,' she said.
Swiatek saved a match point against Naomi Osaka in the second round last week but has barely broken sweat since, losing just 14 games across the next four rounds.
'Something changed, I just adjusted better to the court and it's not easy to play the first matches at a Grand Slam because the atmosphere is much different to other tournaments,' she added.
'And against Noami it was difficult to get into it because she just went for it... I've improved my feel and gained confidence.'
The Pole's career win-loss record at Roland Garros now stands at a staggering 34-2, while she is on a 20-match winning streak at the event. — AFP