Jasmine Paolini eased through to the second round of the Australian Open with a dominant 6-0 6-4 win over Chinese qualifier Wei Sijia on Tuesday as the Italian savoured a return to the Grand Slam that launched her golden season last year.
The late-blooming Paolini was a revelation in 2024 as she made the French Open quarterfinals and broke into the top 50 for the first time, announcing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the women's game.
Paolini's win over Wei was the perfect way to kick off her Australian Open campaign, with the Italian dropping just four games against her opponent. The Chinese qualifier had no answer to Paolini's powerful forehand, which proved to be the decisive factor in the match.
Paolini's golden season in 2024 was a breakthrough year for the Italian, who had previously struggled to make an impact on the Grand Slam stage. However, her run to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros marked a turning point in her career, and she has since gone on to establish herself as one of the most exciting young players in the women's game.
With her dominant win over Wei, Paolini will now face a tougher test in the second round, where she will meet a higher-ranked opponent. However, based on her performance on Tuesday, she will be confident of causing an upset and making a deep run in the tournament.
Paolini's success is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. The Italian has spent countless hours on the practice court honing her skills, and her efforts are now paying off. As she looks to build on her success in 2024, Paolini will be hoping to make a strong impression at the Australian Open and cement her position as one of the top players in the women's game.
The Australian Open is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the tennis calendar, and Paolini will be determined to make a lasting impact on the competition. With her powerful forehand and aggressive playing style, she has the potential to cause problems for any opponent, and her fans will be eagerly anticipating her next match.