Paolini races past Andreeva, sets up Roland-Garros final against Swiatek
In a matchup between two first-time Grand Slam semi-finalists, Jasmine Paolini was way too good for Mirra Andreeva. Paolini advances to play Iga Swiatek in the championship match
© Federico Pestellini / Panoramic
Jasmine Paolini soared into her first Grand Slam title match by beating Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1 in the Roland-Garros semi-finals on Thursday afternoon. Paolini did not lose serve a single time while advancing in one hour and 13 minutes.
The Italian will face three-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s final.
ONE-WAY TRAFFIC FROM START TO FINISH FOR PAOLINI
Paolini pounced on a similarly inexperienced opponent right away. Although neither woman had ever been on this stage before, the difference in age (Paolini is 28, Andreeva is 17) is worth nothing. Unsurprisingly, the teenager was clearly the more nervous of the two and Paolini capitalized on that advantage early and often.
The veteran broke serve for a 2-1 lead in the opening set before saving three break points to reach 3-1. Paolini fought off two more break points to hold for 5-2 before wrapping up the set with a routine hold at 5-3.
With the match getting away from her, Andreeva was visibly emotional throughout the second. It was all but over when the Russian dropped serve at 1-1, as she never came close to recovering. Paolini added breaks at 3-1 and then to love at 5-1 to clinch victory in style.
“To dream is I think the most important thing in sport, and in life” the world No 15 said during her on-court interview. “I’m happy that I could dream (of) this moment. I don’t know what to say; I’m so emotional.”
SWIATEK VS PAOLINI IN ROLAND-GARROS FINAL
Swiatek and Paolini will be going head-to-head for just the third time in their careers on Saturday. The top-ranked Pole has won each of their two previous encounters — 6-2, 6-1 at the 2018 Prague event and 6-3, 6-0 at the 2022 US Open.
Swiatek advanced earlier in the day with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Coco Gauff.
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