Jasmine Paolini had 12 days to remember and a weekend to forget, as she savoured a bittersweet fantasy in Paris, often finding her best tennis on Roland Garros’ famous clay. The 28-year-old Italian was powerless against an imperious Iga Swiatek in the women’s final last Saturday. Paolini had few chances, as the World No.
1 needed just 68 minutes to capture her third successive French crown, her fourth in five years, with a 6-2, 6-1 victory. In uncharted waters Paolini stepped onto the Parisian red dirt again on Sunday, this time partnering compatriot Sara Errani in the women’s doubles final. She was unable to find any comfort after Saturday’s crushing loss, as the Italian pair lost 7-6(5), 6-3 to doubles expert Katerina Siniakova and reigning US Open singles’ champion Coco Gauff.
Although the fortnight ended in disappointment for Paolini, she knew she had entered uncharted waters. This time last year, she was playing a WTA 125 event, below the top tier, in Croatia, some distance away from the ranks of elite tennis. After her Roland-Garros showing, she has climbed seven spots to enter the top 10 for the first time in her career, peaking at World No.
7. “It’s been two very intense weeks for me, very nice but very emotional,” said Paolini. “It’s a strange feeling.
I just lost the final, but I think I have to be happy with the two weeks and my new ranking. A Grand Slam final..
. it’s beautiful. I have a lot of memories.
I can’t wait to be back.” Paolini i.