Jasmine Paolini in tears in Rome after victory: her confession
Jasmine Paolini managed to qualify for the third round of the Internazionali d’Italia, but had to struggle more than expected against Leolia Jeanjean. The Frenchwoman, who lags 119 places behind the Tuscan in the WTA rankings, forced her more aristocratic opponent to three sets and a tie-break, which she won after three comebacks. So much so the tension for the Tuscan, who at the end of the match even allowed herself a liberating cry. Episode, the latter, on which she personally dwelt at the end of the match.
“There was a bit of emotion at the end of the match – said Jasmine Paolini -. I had also started well, but then things got complicated and I got caught by doubts. Jeanjean played even better than me, I was feeling nervous on the court. I kept telling myself that I had to let go, but it was difficult. There are times when tennis comes after you, other times when it doesn’t. And when it doesn’t, everything becomes more tiring.”
Now the focus shifts to the next opponent, which will be Belgium’s Elise Mertens. “The match against her will be very tense. I will definitely have to make fewer mistakes than today. Then coming back to the center court of the Foro Italico is always nice, even the first practice I had gave me a lot of energy. At the beginning of the year I had some expectations that did not lead me to be where I wanted to be. I am working to improve, but I am so happy to have these pressures that were not there in the past. I would never change with the Jasmine from before,” Paolini added.
This is not the first time Paolini and Mertens have found themselves on the other side of the net: the two had already crossed paths this season, in Miami, where the Belgian – paired with Shuai Zhang in doubles – had to drop out of the semifinals against Errani and Paolini due to injury after just three games. A precedent that adds a further narrative thread to the challenge of the Roman third round, although this time the context will be singles.
The moment has not been the easiest for the Tuscan, who has experienced a start to 2026 decidedly below expectations. After a third-round exit at the Australian Open, Paolini had also collected disappointing results in Dubai, Qatar, Merida, Indian Wells, and Miami. The lowest point had come in April, in Stuttgart, where she had been eliminated in the first round by Turkish Zeynep Sonmez with a heavy 6-2, 6-2, accompanied in turn by tears on the court. It was a clear sign of the mental difficulties that were gripping her at that stage of the season.
Today’s success over Jeanjean, though suffered, thus takes on a value that goes beyond simply passing the round. It is worth as a confirmation that the road to recovery is taken, and that the Foro Italico – a stage that Paolini feels is particularly his – can represent the right terrain to regain continuity and confidence. With Mertens on the horizon, the litmus test is already just around the corner.
Finally, it should be noted that Paolini is not the only Italian player still in the running in the women’s draw at the Internazionali d’Italia: also advancing to the second round are Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Tyra Grant and the young Noemi Basiletti, nineteen years old, who surprised everyone by beating Ajla Tomljanovic in the first round after passing the qualifying.
