Jasmine Paolini’s electrifying game and beaming smile have lit up Roland Garros this year, as the diminutive Italian has worked her way into her first Grand Slam final.
The 12th seed’s 6-3 6-1 triumph over 17-year-old phenom Mirra Andreeva set a women’s final against rampaging world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who yet again beat Coco Gauff in Thursday’s earlier semifinal.
Swiatek is one win from a third consecutive title in Paris, and fourth French title in the past five years.
Her presence in another Roland Garros final is as predictable as Paolini’s is surprising.
Before 2024 Paolini had never passed the second round of a major. At the Australian Open she changed that by reaching the second week, and followed that result up in February with a prestigious WTA 1000 title in Dubai.
That saw her crack the top 15, and in Paris she has maintained her winning ways, beating major champions Bianca Andreescu and Elena Rybakina en route to the final weekend.
She is guaranteed to debut in the world’s top 10.
It is tempting to describe her as a rising star – this is exactly the way she is trending – yet it’s a term commonly associated with young players. Paolini is already 28 years old, but in the past year she has accessed a previously-untapped well of form and confidence.
For those who haven’t watched much of her play tennis, it’s a joyful experience.
Paolini stands at just 163cm tall but launches herself into shots, her forehand especially explosive. She developed her game on clay – you can see it in her footwork, consistency, shape of shot and point construction – but has an aggressive mindset, always looking to create and go for the opening when chances arise.
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"Just from the vantage point I have in the commentary box, looking from the top of the stadium, I can't see the work on the ball, the spin,” observed David Law on The Tennis Podcast. “But I can see the pace. And it was an equal pace with Rybakina through the air.”
Rybakina’s forehand has been measured as one of the biggest in the game.
Paolini is also energetic, buoyant and relentlessly positive on court – and the fans have responded.
After stunning Rybakina in the quarterfinals, Paolini explained that midway through last year she began playing with more consistency, and more belief she could match, and even beat, the game’s best.
Now, she has created the opportunity to become the fifth Italian Grand Slam singles champion in the Open era, and first at Roland Garros since Francesca Schiavone in 2010.
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“It seems something impossible, you know, but it's true,” she laughed.
“It's a long journey, I think. I started to play tennis when I was five, and I fell in love with the sport. I really like to play tennis. I feel good when I play.
“I was watching the other Italians make it in the finals, and also won Grand Slams, but imagining that can be myself was tough. Of course, I wished, but now it's something crazy for me.”
Italian tennis is having a moment, and Paolini is key in this exciting story.
Reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner is through to the men’s singles semifinals, while Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori are men’s doubles finalists. Paolini is still alive in the women’s doubles semifinals, alongside Sara Errani, after they recently won the WTA 1000 title in Rome.
Interestingly, Errani was the last Italian to appear in the singles final at Roland Garros, and their doubles success – plus Errani’s influence overall – are helping Paolini in her run to the same stage 12 years later.
12 years after reaching the final in Paris herself, Sara Errani got to watch friend Jasmine Paolini do the same things afternoon. pic.twitter.com/TxoQrR1QK8
— Jimmie48 Photography (@JJlovesTennis) June 6, 2024
“I can ask her some advices, and I think it's a really smart person to have close. So it's something positive, of course, for me and my team as well,” Paolini explained.
“It's unbelievable to see Jannik when he was 15 years old say that his dream was to be No.1. I never dreamed to be I think in a Grand Slam final, and I'm here.
“I'm so happy, but it's something different. I'm a different kind of person I think.”
As well as being a fabulous story for Italian tennis, Paolini also has Polish heritage on her mother’s side, a connection with her Roland Garros final opponent.
While Swiatek is favoured to end a run Paolini may not have thought possible, that won’t stop Paolini trying to keep it going when they meet on Saturday.
“I try to speak in Polish, but it's not easy. I'm a little bit shy because I'm not feeling really confident in it, but of course, when I see her, I say congratulation for the title she can win. She congratulate me after Dubai. She wish me good luck after matches when we meet in the locker room,” Paolini revealed.
“Iga is unbelievable player. So young, but so many achievement and Grand Slams. Here she won three times. She's doing well week by week, and that's not easy.
“So I have huge respect for her, but my goal is to step on court Saturday and try to enjoy the match and to enjoy that moment, and to try to make a good performance on court.”