Jasmine Paolini, competing in front of her home crowd, staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Diana Shnaider and secure her place in the semi-finals of the Italian Open. The sixth seed triumphed with a scoreline of 6-7 (1-7), 6-4, 6-2, making her the first Italian woman to reach the tournament’s last four since 2014, when Sara Errani, her current doubles partner, was defeated by Serena Williams in the final.
Shnaider initially took control of the match, winning the first set in a tiebreak. Following a rain delay, she extended her lead to 4-0 in the second set. However, Paolini rallied impressively, winning six consecutive games and leveling the match to push it into a deciding set, which she dominated.
Paolini credited Errani for her invaluable support during the rain break, stating, “It was a good thing that it rained for five minutes. I got some coaching from Sara.” This showcases the power of mentorship and the importance of solidarity among players within the sport.
The 29-year-old now awaits her semi-final opponent, which will be either former two-time Italian Open champion Elina Svitolina or Peyton Stearns. With Raffaella Reggi being the last Italian woman to claim the title back in 1985, Paolini has the opportunity to make history for her nation.
This comeback not only underscores Paolini’s determination but also reflects the growing strength of Italian women in tennis, fostering a promising future for the sport in the country.