Paolini powers in Roland Garros quarters
ITALIAN 12th seed Jasmine Paolini strung six consecutive games together twice across two sets to produce a near-perfect domination after dropping the first set to Russian Elina Avanesyan to reach the Roland Garros quarter finals.
The hard-hitting Russian raced out to a 4-0 lead in the opening set, and while she did butcher a few chances to take it out more comfortably, eventually secured the set 6-4. From there though, it was all Paolini as the Italian completely dominated the last two sets.
She did not drop a game in the second set, then after falling 0-1 behind in the decider, repeated the dose with another six consecutive games to storm into the French Open quarter finals. It was simply sensational from the 12th seed who earned her place in a Grand Slam last eight for the first time.
“Of course, I’m really happy,” Paolini said post-match. It was such a tough match, she’s such a great player, did really well here last year (last 16).
“I was outside the match and just tried to get one game, two games, to get into the match. I wanted to find a better sensation on my racquet. I really think I did a great job.”
The match lasted an hour and 54 minutes with Paolini hitting 20 more winners (29-9) and 11 more unforced errors (45-34) in a display of perfect flat hitting in the last two sets. By comparison, Avanesyan had no answers, only hitting three winners for 19 unforced errors in the that time.
“I think I believe more in myself,” Paolini said. Of course, winning a lot more matches in the past two years helps. Believing has been the key, letting me step up to find this higher level.”
Paolini will need to be more consistent against her next opponent, fourth seed Elena Rybakina, after the Kazakh defeated fellow Grand Slam champion Elina Svitolina in straight sets, 6-4 6-3. In the other fourth round results, second seed Aryna Sabalenka took care of Emma Navarro 6-2 6-3, while young Russian Mirra Andreeva defeated former Russian now Frenchwoman Varvara Gracheva, 7-5 6-2.
2024 ROLAND GARROS WTA ROUND OF 16 RESULTS:
[2] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) defeated [22] Emma Navarro (USA) 6-2 6-3
[4] Elena Rybakina (KAZ) defeated [15] Elina Svitolina(UKR) 6-4 6-3
[12] Jasmine Paolini (ITA) defeated Elina Avanesyan (RUS) 4-6 6-0 6-1
Mirra Andreeva (RUS) defeated Varvara Gracheva (FRA) 7-5 6-2
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