Jasmine Paolini Makes History at the US Open: Reaches Fourth Round for the First Time!
Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini, the fifth seed, has made history at the US Open by advancing to the fourth round for the first time in her career. Paolini defeated 30th seed Yulia Putintseva in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, marking a significant milestone in her journey.
Paolini, along with American Coco Gauff, is one of only two players in 2024 to reach at least the fourth round in all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Prior to this season, Paolini, at 28 years old, had never progressed beyond the second round of a major tournament. However, she broke that barrier in January at the Australian Open, where she reached the fourth round. This success was followed by final appearances in Paris in June and London in July.
In her third-round victory at the US Open, Paolini secured 22 winners against Putintseva, finishing the match in one hour and 36 minutes. The Italian broke her opponent’s serve three times in the first set. In the second set, which was more controlled in terms of serving, Paolini waited until the tenth game to break serve, clinching the match on her first match point at 40-15. She will now face 2023 Roland Garros finalist Karolina Muchova, who defeated neutral athlete Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-2.
Another player advancing to the fourth round is American Jessica Pegula, who defeated Hesper Mannino 6-3, 6-3 on the Arthur Ashe court. The Spanish player committed 29 unforced errors and managed only five winners against Pegula, who broke serve four times to secure the win.
Pegula will face Russian Diana Shnaider, competing under a neutral flag, who defeated Italian veteran Sara Errani 6-2, 6-2. At just 20 years old, Shnaider outplayed the 37-year-old Errani, showcasing the strength of youth.
Paolini’s historic run at the US Open signals a new era for Italian tennis. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Paolini to see how far she can go.