In the upcoming China Open, Italian tennis player Jasmine Paolini is set to face the resurging Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in the second round. After receiving a bye in the first round, Paolini prepares to showcase the impressive form she has maintained throughout the season. Her recent victory in the Billie Jean King Cup against top American player Jessica Pegula highlights her current prowess on the court. Ranked world No. 8 in singles and No. 5 in doubles, the 29-year-old has consistently demonstrated her elite status in both formats.
This season, Paolini celebrated a major breakthrough in Rome, where she won titles in both singles and doubles, overcoming strong competitors like Coco Gauff. She also made a strong appearance in the Cincinnati finals and reached the semifinals in several other prestigious tournaments such as Miami and Stuttgart. Her notable partnership with Sara Errani has been marked by multiple titles, including triumphs in Doha, Rome, and Roland Garros. Paolini’s impressive stats of 66 aces across 50 singles matches, along with her solid first-serve points and break-point conversion rates, underline her excellence on the court.
In contrast, Anastasija Sevastova is gradually regaining her form following a 14-month break due to maternity leave and a knee injury. Utilizing a protected ranking, Sevastova marked her return with a commendable quarterfinal finish in Rabat and a notable run to the fourth round in Montreal, where she upset Jessica Pegula before being defeated by Naomi Osaka. Her current statistics, which include 35 aces in 17 matches, show a promising resurgence as she aims to reclaim her past success.
Analyzing the head-to-head record, Paolini leads Sevastova 3-0, having won all their previous encounters. Their rivalry, beginning in 2020 with Paolini’s straight-set win in Rome, continued with another victory in Cincinnati when Sevastova had to retire, and Paolini’s recent Wimbledon comeback against the Latvian further cements her dominance in their matchups.
Paolini’s current form and historical success against Sevastova make her the favorite to progress in the tournament. Bookmakers have reinforced this expectation, with odds heavily in Paolini’s favor. Jasmine Paolini’s performance this season, coupled with her consistent record against high-caliber opponents, positions her as the likely winner in this second-round match. As Paolini advances in the tournament, the tennis world watches keenly, anticipating her continued success and potential to capture another title.