The No.12 seed is into a Grand Slam quarter-final for first time
©Nicolas Gouhier / FFTWorld No.15 Jasmine Paolini battled from a set down into a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final with a 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 win over Elina Avanesyan on Monday.
The Italian, who reached the last 16 at the Australian Open and lifted the Dubai WTA 1000 title earlier this season, will meet No.4 seed Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals.
It was the land of opportunity on Court Suzanne-Lenglen: who would be able to handle the occasion better with such a golden ticket in reach?
Avanesyan got straight down to it, striking the ball cleanly in 'no miss mode' to race 4-0 ahead in just 17 minutes.
Confidence was high in the 21-year-old's game and the 1.62m Paolini was having to find the lines and corners with her pocket-rocket power to gain any traction.
©️Nicolas Gouhier / FFTFlattening out her strokes, Paolini powered back into contention, breaking the world No.70 when serving for the opener at 5-2, but Avanesyan kept up the pace and depth, teasing the errors from the No.12 seed's racquet.
The Italian, doubles champion alongside compatriot Sara Errani in Rome last month and usually so consistent, was hampered by 23 unforced errors in the first set.
It was time for her to show her ranking superiority. A courageous mid-court forehand drive volley was the highlight as the 28-year-old stole a 2-0 lead from the seventh break point of the game. Paolini kept pressing and in 35 minutes had assembled the near-perfect set.
An error-strewn first game in the decider gave Avanesyan hope, but Paolini never let her get back in.
The Italian's season to remember adds another chapter.
The 28-year-old has booked a Grand Slam singles quarter-final spot at her 18th attempt in a major main draw.
On Monday the Italian converted eight of 17 break points and finished with 29 winners to 45 unforced errors. She will have to raise her level against the full-throttle force of Rybakina.
Her doubles prowess, however, will allow Paolini to take heart. Her success rate of 15 from 17 at the net against Avanesyan could indicate a crucial tool in wrong-footing Rybakina.
On her feelings at reaching the quarter-finals: "Of course, I'm really happy. 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."
On her heart on court: "It has to be big as I'm so small. I try to fight for every point, to give my 100 per cent."
On playing the best tennis of her life: "I think I believe more in myself. 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."
ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
