Paolini Reaches Roland Garros Final

Twenty-eight-year-old Jasmine Paolini, riding the wave of Italian tennis, defeated teenage star Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1 to reach the final of Roland-Garros.

For the first time in the Open Era, both the men’s and women’s semifinals in singles feature an Italian.

Andreeva, 17, is the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist since Hingis, 16, in 1997 at the US Open.

At just five feet four inches, Paolina has a lot of energy and a lot of power. She is quick around the court. She hits with heavy topspin, and she has a good all-around game. She’s also playing in the women’s doubles final with fellow Italian Sara Errani.

In the first set, Paolini played with consistency and confidence and quickly led 3-1. Serving in the next game, she saved three break points for a 4-1 lead.  Andreeva held, and then Paolini saved another break point with a deft drop shot.

In the second set, at 1-all, the Italian broke, and continued her winning ways, with solid serving and hitting her groundstrokes with power and depth.

For the match, Paolini hit 80% of her first serves in, winning 67% of the time. She struck one ace and no double faults.

Andreeva hit 61% of her first serves in, winning 57% of the time. She struck one ace and one double fault.

Paolini hit 14 winners and 10 unforced errors. Andreeva hit 11 winners and 29 unforced errors.

The Italian will break into the Top 10 following Roland-Garros. She is the third Italian woman in the Open Era to reach the Roland-Garros final, along with Schiavone (2010, 2011) and Errani (2012).

Paolini said: “I learned a little bit later than other players. To dream is the most important thing in sport and in life.

“I’m happy that I can be in this dream moment. It’s a great feeling to be in a Grand Slam final. It seems impossible.”

In the final, she will play three-time Roland-Garros champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.