Jasmine Paolini disaster: an elimination that hurts so much

Jasmine Paolini’s path to the Australian Open has already ended. The Italian, number seven in the women&#8217s draw, was swept by Iva Jovic. The American dominated the match, valid for the third round, imposing herself in two sets (6-2, 7-6). Of note was the less than optimal physical condition of the Italian tennis player, who also resorted to a medical time out.

Fabrizio Ponciroli

The Italian was never in the match, except in the final of the second partial. In the first set, she suffered a lot in the exchanges from the back court and, accompliced by many errors, lost with a dry 6-2 without ever giving the feeling of being able to handle the 18-year-old promise of women&#8217s tennis. At 4-1, the blue player wanted medical attention for problems probably in her stomach.

At the beginning of the second set, Jasmine Paolini tries to fight back. She even managed to break her opponent who did not lose heart and turned the situation around, taking it to 4-2. Jasmine Paolini saves two break points and stays in the running. With courage and personality, she wins the break that makes it 5-5 to the desperation of the American. In the next game, Iva Jovic hammered again and got two break points, the second being decisive to take a 6-5 lead.

In the twelfth game, Jasmine Paolini puts all the grit she can into it and wins two break points. The second one is the good one to go to the tie-break. Unfortunately, at the top moment, the U.S. raises the tempo again and closes 7-3, taking home her first win against a Top 10: “Beating a Top 10? Crazy. I just tried to keep hitting hard”, the U.S. commented.

Jasmine Paolini says goodbye to the Australian Open where, during her career, she has never gone beyond the fourth round (2024). Applause to 18-year-old Iva Jovic who has shown that she has what it takes to become a great champion.