Jasmine Paolini let out a triumphant shout followed by a beaming smile, marking her hard-earned victory over Veronika Kudermetova and securing her spot in the final at the Cincinnati Masters. In a dramatic battle lasting over two hours, the Italian emerged victorious with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 scoreline against the world number 36. The win represents a significant moment for Paolini, placing her in a Masters 1000 final and providing a major confidence boost ahead of the US Open.
A Rollercoaster Semifinal
Paolini started the match in dominant fashion, wrapping up the first set in just 28 minutes. She broke Kudermetova’s serve to go up 4-3 and never looked back. The second set appeared to be following a similar script, with Paolini’s consistency and a string of errors from her opponent allowing her to build a 5-3 lead.
However, while serving for the match, the momentum suddenly shifted. Kudermetova mounted a stunning comeback, breaking Paolini’s serve and forcing a tiebreak, which she dominated, conceding only two points to level the match. Despite the unexpected setback, Paolini demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude. She reset for the third set, patiently withstanding an early assault from her opponent, saving three crucial break points before ultimately closing out the match 6-3.
Forgetting Was the Key
“It was tough. I was up 5-3 in the second set, and until that moment, everything was going well,” Paolini admitted after the match. “She started to play much better from that point on, and I got a little nervous. When I came back out for the third set, I managed not to think about what had happened and just focused on fighting and pushing. The key was to forget about it.”
This victory marks a return to form for Paolini after a challenging summer that included early exits in Montreal and Wimbledon. It is her first final appearance in three months.
A Daunting Final Awaits
Paolini now faces the formidable challenge of Iga Swiatek in the final. The world number 3 and recent Wimbledon champion is in exceptional form. The head-to-head record is heavily in the Polish star’s favor, with Swiatek having won all five of their previous encounters.
“It will be very tough against Iga,” Paolini commented. “She is an extraordinary player who defends incredibly well and has a great serve. I will try to do my best in this final, and I hope it’s a good match.” With the pressure of expectations lifted, Paolini will be free to play aggressively in tonight’s final, scheduled for midnight, immediately following the men’s final.
Strong Showing for Italian Tennis
Paolini’s success highlights a remarkable week for Italian tennis in Cincinnati. While she advanced in the women’s draw, Lorenzo Musetti and Lorenzo Sonego made a deep run in the men’s doubles, ultimately falling in a hard-fought final to Croatia’s Mate Pavić and American Rajeev Ram in a match tiebreak. All eyes will also be on the men’s singles final tonight at 9 PM, which features another Italian star, Jannik Sinner, taking on Carlos Alcaraz.
