{"id":84368,"date":"2025-05-28T09:31:24","date_gmt":"2025-05-28T13:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/?p=84368"},"modified":"2025-05-28T09:32:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T13:32:07","slug":"jasmine-paolini-french-open-third-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/2025\/05\/28\/jasmine-paolini-french-open-third-round\/","title":{"rendered":"Jasmine Paolini Books Place in French Open Third Round"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jasmine Paolini progressed to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/category\/french-open\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">French Open<\/a> third round with a convincing 6-3 6-3 win over Ajla Tomljanovic. It was a quality affair overall <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">with<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> entertaining baseline exchanges from start to finish, but it was the world #4 who showed more quality when it mattered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Last year&#8217;s finalist and the reigning Rome champion has come into Paris as a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">major<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> favourite, a phenomenon she hasn&#8217;t really experienced yet. Last year&#8217;s run was a surprise, while few expected her to back this up at Wimbledon. Coming into this tournament though, the Olympic gold medalist and Billie Jean King Cup Champion has been touted by many to make history, with <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/tennis\/story\/_\/id\/45284752\/french-open-2025-tennis-expert-picks-betting-tips-alcaraz-sinner-swiatek-gauff\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ESPN&#8217;s Simon Chambers<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> backing her to win the whole tournament!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On the other side of the net was a talented player in Tomljanovic <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">whose<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> injuries have plagued her as of late. The once world #32 was always going to be a tricky opponent with her clean and aggressive hitting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Shot Selection Proves the Difference<\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2216860917\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2216860917?et=HTsRGXgpTAhRysQbNy9OMg&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=1vGr4S0yVAUVwxnQ48jMfM7yyKO7MMKg0efQVnH4vGw=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first set was <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">truly<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> an enjoyable watch. With just one break in it, Paolini came out victorious 6-3. Despite this, it wasn&#8217;t simple, with both women producing some excellent tennis throughout.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Early on <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> was Tomljanovic who seemed to have the upper hand. She really leaned into her flat backhands, which flew through the court <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">forcing<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> errors at the other side of the net. In that sense, the windless indoor conditions suited her. Although, once Paolini found her range <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">she<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> never looked back.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Sure, there were entertaining rallies and close games, but the match was ultimately on the Italian&#8217;s racket. Tomljanovic produced aggressive groundstrokes that put Paolini on the back foot, but the latter&#8217;s movement and anticipation would often neutralise the rally. On the other hand, once the world #4 established the upper hand in a point, it was game over.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Throughout the first set, in the crucial points, Tomjlanovic&#8217;s shot selection was questionable. From as early as the fourth game, and serving 2-1 down and 30-30 <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Aussie went too big at the back to give away a free point. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> was a frequent pattern of the <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">match:<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0a tight few points to start the game would lead to a 30-30 situation, and ultimately <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">one<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> player locked <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> while the other lacked measure and consistency.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A Crucial Seventh Game<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At 4-2 up, Paolini raced into a 40-0 lead. She seemed untouchable. Credit to Tomljanovic <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">though<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, she displayed her fighting spirit to wrestle the game back to deuce. The point that would follow essentially summed up the match. Paolini served to the 32-year-old&#8217;s forehand and came into the net on her third shot. The Italian didn&#8217;t have the best approach shot but had the bravery to close down the court anyway. It was as though she dared Tomljanovic to go big, and so she did, but ultimately found the net. Had it been on the backhand side <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">you<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> may have fancied her chances more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At 5-3, Paolini showed her class <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to produce<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> two world-class points <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to win the set.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> In the second one in <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">particular<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> she showed her anticipation and agility to absorb power with a jaw-dropping backhand passing shot.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Second Set Fast Start\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">As we see so often in tennis, after winning the first set, the favourite was able to break straight away in the second. Therefore, Tomljanovic never felt in the match, it was always an uphill battle. Paolini was<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0teeing off, winners were plenty and she was able to play with such a variety and freedom. In the blink of an eye, she had established a 3-0 lead and a double break.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Once again, Tomljanovic fought on. With a chance to break and a slow second serve received into her favoured backhand wing, she squandered her return into the net. Following this, she could have let her head drop, but instead, she kept plugging away and earned the break anyway.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A Competitive End\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">On serve and 4-3 up, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Paolini<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> found herself a break point down. Yet again, on the pressure points, she excelled. Seemingly in trouble, she returned with little depth and sat the ball up to Tomjlanovic&#8217;s forehand. Yet, the Aussie went unnecessarily big and hit long. At deuce, once <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">again<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Tomljanovic established the upper hand, but upon an approach <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">shot<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> hesitated into the net, and found herself victim of a stunning passing shot. With Paolini serving to win the game, Tomljanovic made an unforced error on the second serve returned . <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">She never recovered from such a disappointment and was broken in the next game <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to lose<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> 6-3 6-3.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/2216860711\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/2216860711?et=jKq7LvDDSaRVs1DL7whxBw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=77UIvXBcy2ivwNhOTugb9owe235OENqH0ItwxMkejU0=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A game overall that showed quality from both <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">was decided<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> in the pressure points. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Paolini will <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">be looking<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">keep up<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> this form in the coming 10 days.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What&#8217;s Next<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Paolini now faces either Anastasia Potapova or Yuliia Starodubtseva in the third round on Friday. She will go into either of those clashes as a heavy favourite <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">no<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> doubt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If anything, it&#8217;s been an ideal start for the 29-year-old. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Her<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> opening round match against Yue Yuan was tight and nervy, but she fought her way through. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">clearly<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> made her match sharp for her meeting with Tomljanovic, where she excelled.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the same section as Elina Svitolina and Qinwen Zheng, potential mouth-watering ties lie ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: Cara Owsley\/The Enquirer \/ USA TODAY NETWORK<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Jasmine Paolini progressed to the French Open third round with a convincing 6-3 6-3 win over Ajla Tomljanovic. It was a quality affair overall with entertaining baseline exchanges from start to finish, but it was the world #4 who showed more quality when it mattered. Last year&#8217;s finalist and the reigning Rome champion has come [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4404,"featured_media":61058,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,2],"tags":[4130,1526,204,258,5319,896,42398],"class_list":["post-84368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-french-open","category-featured","tag-ajla-tomljanovic","tag-anastasia-potapova","tag-french-open","tag-italian-tennis","tag-jasmine-paolini","tag-roland-garros","tag-yuliia-starodubtseva"],"modified_by":"Steen Kirby","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=84368"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84374,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84368\/revisions\/84374"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=84368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=84368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/tennis\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=84368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}