Tennis

Jasmine Paolini's Historic Wimbledon Run: From Clay to GrassIn the realm of tennis, the transition from clay to grass is often considered a daunting challenge. Yet, Italian star Jasmine Paolini has defied expectations, becoming the first woman in recent history to reach the Wimbledon semifinals after a deep run at the French Open.Paolini's journey to the last four at SW19 has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite having played only 24 matches on grass prior to this year, she has won eight of her last 11 on the surface. Her success at Wimbledon is a testament to her adaptability and the belief instilled in her by her coach."I didn't realize it before, but my coach was telling me that I could play well here," Paolini said. "I have felt great. I am hitting and moving well."Paolini's run to the semifinals has been marked by impressive performances. She dispatched American Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 victory. Her forehand has been a key weapon throughout the tournament, and she has shown a remarkable ability to adjust to the faster pace of grass."I was repeating to myself, 'okay, it's nice to play on grass. You can play well,'" Paolini said. "But I didn't expect the semifinals at all."Paolini's success at Wimbledon is not only a personal triumph but also a reflection of the changing nature of tennis. The homogenization of courts has made it possible for players to transition more seamlessly between surfaces. The Roland-Garros clay is no longer as slow as it used to be, and the Wimbledon grass not as fast.This evolution has opened up new possibilities for players like Paolini, who may have previously struggled to adapt to different surfaces. It has also made the sport more competitive, as players from all backgrounds can now compete on a more level playing field.Paolini's run to the Wimbledon semifinals is a testament to her talent, adaptability, and the changing landscape of tennis. As she prepares to face Donna Vekic in the last four, she will be aiming to make history once again and become the first Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon final since 1955.

Jasmine Paolini's remarkable journey at the 2024 French Open was a tale of bittersweet triumph and missed opportunity. The 28-year-old Italian reached the women's singles final, a career-defining moment, but ultimately fell short against the indomitable Iga Swiatek.Paolini's run to the final was a testament to her newfound belief in her abilities. Having spent years playing in lower-tier tournaments, she had come to accept that beating the top players was a distant dream. However, a shift in mindset and a string of impressive wins in the lead-up to Roland-Garros gave her the confidence to challenge the elite.In the final, Paolini faced an insurmountable task against Swiatek, who extended her Grand Slam winning streak to four. Despite the lopsided scoreline, Paolini showed glimpses of her potential, winning three games and showcasing her exceptional footwork and baseline prowess.While the singles final ended in disappointment, Paolini's tournament was far from over. She partnered with compatriot Sara Errani in the women's doubles final, but they were unable to overcome the experienced duo of Katerina Siniakova and Coco Gauff.Despite the setbacks, Paolini's performance at Roland-Garros marked a significant turning point in her career. She climbed seven spots in the world rankings to enter the top 10 for the first time, a testament to her newfound consistency and belief.Paolini's journey is a reminder that dreams can come true with hard work and a shift in perspective. Her late-blooming success is an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere, proving that it's never too late to reach for the stars.

Swiatek and Paolini Withdraw from Berlin Grass-Court Event After Roland Garros TriumphsWorld No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Roland Garros runner-up Jasmine Paolini have withdrawn from next week's WTA grass-court event in Berlin, citing physical and mental fatigue after an intense nine-week stretch.Swiatek, who extended her winning streak to 35 matches with her third consecutive Roland Garros title, expressed the need for rest and recovery. "I had these ideas, like, doing preseason on grass so I can learn how to play there," she said. "But yeah, for sure it's a huge challenge."Paolini, who reached her first Grand Slam singles final and the doubles final in Paris, withdrew due to an unspecified injury. Her impressive performance at Roland Garros propelled her to career-high rankings in both singles and doubles, including a Top 10 debut in singles.The Berlin tournament, which begins on Monday, will still feature the remaining eight players ranked in this week's Top 10, including newly-minted world No. 2 Coco Gauff.Swiatek's withdrawal highlights the challenges of transitioning from clay to grass courts. Despite reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, she has struggled on the surface, with a 9-4 record in four previous appearances at the All-England Club."I feel like every year it's easier for me to adapt to grass," Swiatek said. "So I think there is no need to do that. I just need to continue the work that I've been doing."The Berlin event will provide an opportunity for other top players to gain momentum ahead of Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.

Jasmine Paolini's remarkable Roland Garros campaign continues as she sets her sights on both the women's singles and doubles titles. The Italian, who reached the singles semifinals, has teamed up with Sara Errani to storm into the doubles final.Errani, a veteran of Grand Slam doubles success, is seeking her first major title in nearly a decade. She and former partner Roberta Vinci triumphed at Wimbledon in 2014 and reached the Roland Garros final three times between 2012 and 2014.Coco Gauff, who saw her singles hopes dashed by Iga Swiatek, has also found success in doubles. Partnering with Katerina Siniakova, the American has overcome adversity to reach the final.Siniakova, a two-time Roland Garros doubles champion with Barbora Krejcikova, is aiming to add to her Grand Slam tally. Gauff, on the other hand, is looking to break her streak of losing in major doubles finals.The doubles final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two experienced teams and two rising stars. Paolini and Errani will rely on their momentum and home-court advantage, while Gauff and Siniakova will look to their chemistry and Siniakova's Grand Slam pedigree.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked female tennis player, has advanced to her fourth Roland Garros final in five years, defeating Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4 in the semi-finals. Swiatek, who has won 20 consecutive matches in Paris, will face either 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva or Italy's Jasmine Paolini in the championship match.Swiatek, who has won 10 of her previous 11 meetings with Gauff in straight sets, broke the US Open champion in the opening game of the match and never looked back. She withstood break points in her first two service games before breaking again to move up a double break at 4-1. Swiatek closed out the first set without trouble.Gauff threatened a fightback in the second set, taking a 3-1 lead after wiping away tears following an argument with the chair umpire over the timing of a line call. However, Swiatek responded immediately, winning four consecutive games to surge to the cusp of victory. Gauff saved two match points, but Swiatek eventually served it out at the fourth time of asking."It was intense," said Swiatek. "In the second set it was tight because we were breaking each other. I was consistent with my tactics, didn't overthink stuff and just went for it in the end."Swiatek improved to 34-2 at the French Open after beating Gauff at Roland Garros for the third tournament in a row. She has won all four of her previous Grand Slam finals and could become only the fourth woman to win four Roland Garros titles in the Open era -- after Justine Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.Swiatek is also on track to join Serena Williams as the only women to complete the treble of French, Madrid and Rome Open titles in the same year.In the other semi-final, Andreeva, the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since Martina Hingis in 1997, will take on the unheralded Paolini. Andreeva stole the headlines in the quarter-finals with a shock victory over world number two Aryna Sabalenka, who was hit by a stomach bug, becoming the youngest woman to reach a Slam semi-final since Hingis at the US Open 27 years ago.Paolini, the 12th seed, also got through with a surprise win against former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Both Andreeva and Paolini had never reached the quarters at a major tournament before this week, but are now just one match from the final.With another win, Andreeva will also be the youngest Slam finalist since Hingis, who won the 1997 US Open aged 16.Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic has confirmed that he has undergone an operation on his right knee, which he injured during his last-16 win at Roland Garros. The 24-time Grand Slam winner was forced to withdraw ahead of his quarter-final against Casper Ruud after a scan revealed a torn medial meniscus in his right knee."In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match," Djokovic posted on social media. "I'm still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well."Djokovic made no mention of whether he would be fit to take part at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1, but added that he was going to "do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible."

Jasmine Paolini, the diminutive Italian powerhouse, has taken Roland Garros by storm, reaching the semifinals in both singles and doubles. Her remarkable run has been a testament to her determination and resilience, despite her height disadvantage.In singles, Paolini stunned fourth seed Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. The victory marked the biggest of her career and propelled her into her first Grand Slam semifinal. Her next opponent, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, will be five inches taller than her, but Paolini remains unfazed."I wish I was taller, but I accept that I have to do with my own body," Paolini said. "I try to improve other aspects of my game to offset my height disadvantage."In doubles, Paolini has teamed up with fellow Italian Sara Errani, a former Grand Slam champion. Together, they have reached the semifinals, defeating Diana Shnaider and Emma Navarro in the quarterfinals.Paolini's success in both singles and doubles has been a result of her hard work and dedication. She has never been past the second round at a Grand Slam before this year, but her run to the Australian Open fourth round and her WTA 1000 title in Dubai have given her the confidence to believe in herself."I'm really happy with my performance," Paolini said. "I'm also happy for the doubles, of course."Errani has been a valuable mentor for Paolini, providing her with guidance and support."I think she's helping me so much, playing doubles with her," Paolini said. "I can talk in tennis with her, I can ask her strategies, but also some advice: How to step on court, what can I do today to play better."With Paolini still in contention in both singles and doubles, she is leaning on her veteran countrywoman to navigate the uncharted waters.

Elena Rybakina vs. Jasmine Paolini: A Clash of StylesElena Rybakina, the No. 4 seed, has quietly advanced to the quarterfinals of the French Open, while Jasmine Paolini has also flown under the radar. The two players have contrasting styles, with Rybakina relying on power and aggression, while Paolini uses speed, spin, and scrambling to win points.Rybakina has won both of their previous encounters, including a three-set battle on clay in Stuttgart earlier this year. However, Paolini's energetic style and the support of the crowd could make this match more competitive.Aryna Sabalenka vs. Mirra Andreeva: A Rematch with AdjustmentsAryna Sabalenka will face Mirra Andreeva in a rematch of their Madrid quarterfinal, which Sabalenka won in straight sets. Andreeva has since made a strong run at Roland Garros, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.Andreeva admits that she needs to make adjustments to her game plan, as her previous approach against Sabalenka proved ineffective. Sabalenka, known for her aggressive style, will likely try to prevent Andreeva from gaining early confidence.Alexander Zverev vs. Alex de Minaur: A Battle of EnduranceAlexander Zverev will face Alex de Minaur in a quarterfinal that promises to be a test of endurance. Zverev has shown remarkable resilience in Paris, overcoming deficits in both his third and fourth-round matches.De Minaur has a 2-7 record against Zverev, but he defeated the German in their United Cup encounter earlier this year. However, Zverev's height advantage, comfort on clay, and ability to rally will give him the edge in this match.

Italy's Jasmine Paolini has etched her name in tennis history by capturing the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title, becoming the second Italian woman to triumph in the prestigious WTA 1000 event.Paolini's victory over Anna Kalinskaya in an all-unseeded final marked a remarkable turnaround for the 26-year-old, who had lost to her opponent in the fourth round of the Australian Open just last month.The match was a thrilling affair, with both players showcasing their resilience and determination. Kalinskaya, ranked 40th in the world, appeared poised to claim the title when she led 6-4, 3-1 and served for the championship at 5-4 in the decider.However, Paolini refused to be denied. She rallied back with unwavering resolve, winning 16 of the last 19 points to secure a stunning 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory."I think maybe the key game was when I was down 2-0 in the second set," Paolini said. "I was serving. I said, 'C'mon, you have to try to play every point, you have to try to do something. Just think about simple things. Try to serve more maybe on the backhand, some more speed on the serve, try to move the ball.'"Paolini's triumph in Dubai is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has steadily climbed the WTA rankings in recent years and is now poised to break into the Top 15."I think every person has her own steps, story," Paolini said. "I need some more time to believe maybe that I could play at this level how I did this week. It's not going to be like this I know every week. It's tough. It's the best players in the world."Kalinskaya, despite falling short in the final, made history by becoming the first qualifier to reach the championship match of a WTA 1000 event since the format was introduced in 2009. Her impressive run included victories over three Top 10 players, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.