The 2024 French Open came to a close after 15 days of intense battles, with Roland Garros, the stage of summer triumphs and underdog sagas over the century. As history rolls on from Paris 2024 and the tennis world’s spotlight shifts to the all-white lawns of Wimbledon, does the vibrant red clay still linger in your memory?
Reflecting on this year’s Roland Garros, YONEX-sponsored player Paolini emerged as the standout performer in the women’s singles draw’s lower half. In an era dominated by Swiatek’s clay prowess, Paolini shone brightly as the absolute focal point. Seeded 12th, she shared the competitive quarter with 7th seed, Chinese star Zheng Qinwen, amidst powerhouses like Kasatkina and Cirstea, alongside rivals like Blinkova, Andreescu, and Avanesyan.
Paolini’s journey through the tournament demonstrated the challenges of her section. In the first round, she faced an opponent against whom she had never won, prevailing in a rain-interrupted, rollercoaster match. In the second round, she saved three set points before securing victory. Moving into the third round, Paolini overcame former Grand Slam champion Andreescu’s fierce comeback, winning the deciding set to nil. In the round of 16, she faced Avanesyan, who had upset Zheng, battling back from an initial struggle with a more aggressive game plan to turn the match around.
Advancing to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Paolini confronted 4th seed Rybakina, whom she had recently lost to in Stuttgart. Undaunted, she met Rybakina on Court Philippe-Chatrier with a passionate display of striking. In the semifinals, she faced the young upstart Andreeva, who had just defeated her, but Paolini improved as the match progressed, overpowering her opponent en route to a straight-sets victory. Although she fell to Swiatek in the final, Paolini’s runner-up finish at Roland Garros was a cause for celebration. Moreover, she and veteran Errani reached the doubles final, also finishing as runners-up.
Paolini’s success at this French Open was no fluke. She began the season as a rising force in the WTA Tour, reaching new heights with each tournament. With a career-best Grand Slam record of the second round, Paolini started 2024 ranked No. 29. She advanced to the second week of the Australian Open for the first time, captured her first 1000-level title in Dubai, and broke into the Top 20. Following her runner-up finish at Roland Garros, she will rise to world number seven.
“I have to be happy with my performance and my new ranking,” Paolini said after the singles final, maintaining a positive outlook. “This is a joyful moment, not a sad one. I’m enjoying it and want to keep improving step by step. I don’t know where this journey will take me, but I’m eager to explore. I strive to give my all every day on court. Let’s see what the future holds.”
Paolini’s passion on court, akin to the fiery red of her YONEX VCORE 100 racket, embodies the Italian spirit in tennis. Her unwavering determination and relentless fighting spirit, exemplified by her use of the POLYTOUR PRO 120 string and VCORE series racquet, propelled her to great heights at this French Open. As the YONEX team’s standout player, achieving a double runner-up finish in singles and doubles, Paolini has raised expectations for her future. On the fiery clay of Roland Garros, the YONEX squad showcased their dedication and love for the game, setting a new benchmark for future tournaments, poised to unleash their potential and push beyond limits.
(Translation by Senior English Translation Expert)
Clay-Bound Passion: Paolini Ignites Italian Tennis Flame. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/tennis-hotline/clay-bound-passion-paolini-ignites-italian-tennis-flame.html
