Paolini stuns Rybakina to reach French Open semis

Italian surprise package Jasmine Paolini defeated fourth seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the French Open semi-finals for the first time.

Paolini, the 12th seed, will face either Belarusian world number two Aryna Sabalenka or Russian 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva who meet in the quarter-finals later on Court Philippe Chatrier.

"It's an unbeatable feeling. It was a tough match," said Paolini, who joins Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani, and Martina Trevisan as the fourth Italian woman to reach the Roland Garros semi-finals during the Open era.

"I was too emotional in the second set. I said to myself 'it's okay she's a great champion. It can happen. Just fight and try to hit every ball'."

Playing in her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Paolini, 28, got off to a strong start by winning the first two games and forcing her opponent to work hard to hold serve before breaking again to take the first set.

In the third game of the next set, Paolini broke again with a sublime backhand winner, but 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina responded with one of her own and gradually adjusted to the Italian's power and precision.

Russian-born Kazakh Rybakina traded breaks with Paolini again, but the 24-year-old held firm to tie the match at one set apiece and recovered after giving up her serve at the start of the decider.

Paolini secured a hold to love to make it 4-4, playing at the level she demonstrated early in the match and capitalising on Rybakina's errors to seal a famous victory to wild applause inside the main showcourt.

"It's my first time playing on this beautiful court. It's a pleasure. It's really a privilege," Paolini added.

"I'm happy I got the win in my first match here, because this is one of the best courts I think in tennis."

With Jannik Sinner also making the final four, Italians will be in the semi-finals of both men's and women's singles at a major for the first time in the Open era.

SportsLigue