July 05, (THEWILL) – Jasmine Paolini has made history by becoming the first Italian woman to reach the fourth round of all three Grand Slams in a single year. The 28-year-old seventh seed defeated former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-6(4) 6-1 at Wimbledon on Friday, continuing her impressive 2024 season.
Paolini’s achievement marks a significant milestone for Italian women’s tennis. She follows in the footsteps of compatriots Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani, and Roberta Vinci, who have all made their mark in Grand Slam tournaments. However, Paolini remains focused on her own journey, stating: “I’m trying to live my own journey. It’s something I’m proud of, but for myself, not comparing to the past, the others.”
The French Open runner-up has been in excellent form this year, also reaching the last-16 at the Australian Open. Her success on grass was foreshadowed by a semi-final appearance at Eastbourne prior to Wimbledon. Paolini’s blend of fierce competitiveness and jovial demeanour on court has endeared her to fans, particularly during her match on Court One.
Looking ahead, Paolini faces a tough challenge in the fourth round against 12th seed Madison Keys, who defeated 18th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-4 6-3. Paolini acknowledges the difficulty of the upcoming match, saying: “It’s going to be tough… She’s an aggressive player, for sure. She serves very fast. I think she’s one of the best hitters on the tour.”
As Italian men’s tennis celebrates Jannik Sinner’s maiden Grand Slam triumph in Melbourne this year, Paolini is ensuring that the women’s game receives equal attention. Her historic run at Wimbledon continues to elevate Italian tennis on the global stage.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
