Paolini Stuns Rybakina to Reach French Open Semifinals

Paolini pulled off a remarkable upset against Elena Rybakina in a thrilling French Open match, securing her spot in the tournament’s semifinals. The 12th seed from Italy defeated the 4th seed from Kazakhstan in a close match at Roland Garros. “It’s an incredible feeling,” expressed Jasmine Paolini, reflecting on her victory over Rybakina which she sealed with resilience and determination. Paolini’s next challenge comes in the form of Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva, who scored a major upset by defeating Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

Paolini’s journey to the quarterfinals marked a breakthrough season for the 28-year-old, who claimed her maiden WTA 1000 title earlier in the year at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Despite facing the formidable Rybakina, Paolini displayed nerves of steel, breaking her opponent in the opening game and dominating the early exchanges with her powerful forehand winners. The match saw a shift in momentum as Rybakina fought back, leveling the contest by clinching the second set.

However, Paolini remained composed, weathering the storm of unforced errors and breaks of serve in the deciding set. With the Parisian crowd rallying behind her, Paolini capitalized on key moments, ultimately securing victory with a spirited performance. Born in Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, Italy, Paolini has steadily risen through the ranks since her debut on the WTA tour in 2015. Her breakthrough year in 2024 includes a historic run to the Australian Open fourth round and a memorable victory over Rybakina, earning her widespread acclaim from fans and pundits alike.

Paolini’s triumph adds to the growing success of Italian tennis, with compatriot Jannik Sinner also advancing to the semifinals in the men’s singles draw. With Italians making waves on the grand slam stage, Paolini expressed gratitude to the supportive crowd in Paris and vowed to continue fighting for victory in the tournament.