Jasmine Paolini beat Coco Gauff 6-4 6-3 to reach the semifinal of the Porsche Indoor Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Paolini achieved her first win of her career against Gauff and her first top 10 win of the year.
Paolini has become the third Italian player to reach the semifinal in Stuttgart after Flavia Pennetta in 2009 and Sara Errani in 2014.
Gauff earned an early break a love in the first game to open up a 4-2 lead. Paolini pulled back on serve to 4-4. Paolini earned three set points at 5-4 as Gauff made two straight double faults. The Italian broke serve at love after Gauff made a backhand error.
The Italian player built up a 6-4 2-0 lead after winning six consecutive games from 2-4 down in the first set. Gauff came back from a break down twice in the second set, Paolini earned another break in the sixth game and held on to her serve to seal the second set 6-3.
Gauff made just three double faults but she won just 51% of her first serve points. Paolini hit 20 winners, eight more than Gauff.
“I think I played aggressive, and I was so consistent, not too many mistakes. think I did a great match at the end. When I step on court, like hitting the ball strong, it’s what makes me enjoy playing tennis, you know. I like to hit the ball so hard. So that made me feel joy”, said Paolini.
Paolini set up a semifinal against Aryna Sabalenka, who beat her Italian opponent 6-2 6-2 at the Miami Open.
Sabalenka beat Elise Mertens 6-4 6-1 in her first match at this tournament. Sabalenka made her debut this week after her opponent Anastasia Potapova pulled out from their first match due to injury.
Mertens broke in the seventh game of the first set to take a 4-3 lead, but Sabalenka won nine of the next ten games to seal the win after 1 hour and 20 minutes.
“I had a week to practice on these courts, so I felt pretty comfortable. I played here so many times, so I know the courts and I feel really good on this surface. So I think it was about just playing the first match on clay, get used to the game, not over-rush things”; said Sabalenka.
