Jasmine Paolini started her title defence with a 6-2 7-5 win over German qualifier Eva Lys after 1 hour and 37 minutes in match interrupted by rain at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Paolini set up a second round match against either Sofia Kenin or Marta Kostyuk.
Paolini broke serve In the third game with a backhand return and a forehand winner in the third game to take a 2-1 lead. Lys broke straight back with two down the line backhands to draw level to 2-2. Paolini reeled off three consecutive games to win the first set 6-2.
Paolini went up a 2-0 lead with a break at 30 in the second game with a backhand down the line. Lys reeled off four consecutive games with two breaks to take a 4-3 lead. Paolini broke back in the eighth game to draw level to 4-4. Paolini earned a match point before rain forced the players off the court.
As the match resumed four hours later Paolini sealed the win with a break on her second match point. “Every step last year helped me. This helped me to get to second week [of a Grand Slam] for first time, which helped me to play better the rest of the year. You improve and you feel you can play these matches. Give me so much confidence, said Paolini.
