Jasmine Paolini takes the first step in the WTA Finals after beating “Big Serve” Elena Rybakina
Jasmine Paolini beats Elena Rybakina in straight sets to claim her first WTA Finals win in her maiden appearance at the event.
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Jasmine Paolini (Image via Imago)
Jasmine Paolini has continued her great exploits on the court this season. She made her career debut at the WTA Finals on Saturday (November 2) and began with a winning start over Elena Rybakina. She becomes the first Italian woman since Flavia Pennetta to compete and win a match at the WTA Finals.
Paolini secured her first WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Open in February. She then went on to reach the French Open and Wimbledon final, where she lost to Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova, respectively. Against Rybakina in the first group phase match at the WTA Finals, the Italian exploited her opponent’s 56 unforced errors.
Rybakina began the first set brightly before losing her grip on the match, which led Paolini to force a tiebreak. Paolini did well to keep her composure, which earned her the set 7-6 (5) win, which lasted for 64 minutes. In the second set, Rybakina showed more signs of rust. The Kazakhstan star was playing in her first match since the US Open.
Paolini claimed the victory 7-6 (5), 6-4 to mark her 40th win of the season.18 of them came in the four Grand Slam events this year. She revealed during her on-court interview that she was excited about her victory.
I’m happy with the win today. Elena is playing unbelievable. Good to see her back on tour. It’s always tough to play her. Big serve. Big forehand. Everything, it’s big.
Jasmine Paolini said
Jasmine Paolini after beating Elena Rybakina at WTA Finals in Riyadh
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 2, 2024
“I’m happy with the win today. Elena is playing unbelievable. Good to see her back on tour. It’s always tough to play her. Big serve. Big forehand. Everything, it’s big” ? pic.twitter.com/CKERoBs85o
Meanwhile, it was not the first time that Paolini and Rybakina have played each other this season. They met in the quarterfinals of the Roland Garros, with the former winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Jasmine Paolini excited for Italian support among the crowd after her maiden victory at the WTA Finals
Paolini has continued to break several records this season as an Italian. In July, she became the first Italian woman to reach the final of Wimbledon. After reaching the quarterfinals of the Wuhan Open, she claimed a career-high ranking of No.4. And with that, she equaled Francesca Schiavone, who got to the position in 2011.
On Saturday (November 2), she became the first Italian woman to compete at the event since Flavia Pennetta in 2015. After her victory against Elena Rybakina, she further admitted she was happy with the support from Italians in the crowd.
I saw many Italians here… it’s good, huh?
Jasmine Paolini said
Paolini will play Qinwen Zheng in the second Group phase match on Monday (November 4). A win against the Chinese star will ensure her qualification to the next round of the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.
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Victor Okechukwu
(688 Articles Published)