ROME — Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini delivered a thrilling comeback on Thursday, fighting back from a set down and a 4-0 deficit in the second set to defeat Russia's Diana Shnaider 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 and advance to the Italian Open semi-finals.
The 28-year-old, ranked No. 12 in the world, electrified the home crowd at Foro Italico with her resilience, turning the match around in dramatic fashion. Paolini, who had never before reached a WTA 1000 semi-final, now stands just two wins away from claiming her biggest career title.
A Rocky Start
Shnaider, the 20-year-old Russian left-hander, dominated early, breaking Paolini twice in the first set. Her powerful groundstrokes and aggressive play left the Italian scrambling, as she wrapped up the opener 6-3 in just 35 minutes. "I was struggling to find my rhythm," Paolini admitted after the match. "Diana was playing so well, hitting deep and taking time away from me."
The second set looked even bleaker for Paolini as Shnaider raced to a 4-0 lead. But with the crowd rallying behind her, the Italian dug deep, winning six consecutive games to force a decider. "I just tried to fight for every point," Paolini said. "The energy from the fans gave me so much strength."
Turning the Tide
Key moments in Paolini's comeback:
- Breaking Shnaider at 4-0 with a stunning crosscourt backhand winner
- Saving three break points in a crucial 12-minute game at 4-4
- Winning 12 of the last 15 points to close out the second set
The third set saw Paolini maintain her momentum, breaking early and fending off late pressure from Shnaider. She sealed the victory after 2 hours and 18 minutes when the Russian sent a forehand long.
Historic Achievement
This marks Paolini's first semi-final at a WTA 1000 event, continuing her breakthrough season that included winning the Dubai title in February. "It's amazing to do this in front of my home fans," she said. "I've worked so hard for moments like this, and to see the progress in my game is really special."
The victory also guarantees Paolini will break into the top 10 for the first time when the new rankings are released next week, making her just the sixth Italian woman to achieve this feat. "Top 10 was a dream when I was younger," she reflected. "Now that it's happening, I need to keep working because I want more."
Next Challenge
Paolini will face either world No. 1 Iga Swiatek or Madison Keys in the semi-finals. She trails Swiatek 0-2 in their head-to-head but defeated Keys in their only previous meeting at the 2022 Australian Open.
The Italian's coach, Renzo Furlan, praised her mental toughness: "Jasmine showed today why she's having this incredible season. Even when things looked impossible, she kept believing, kept fighting. That's the mark of a champion."
Tournament Implications
With this result, Paolini strengthens her position as a contender for the French Open, which begins in two weeks. Her clay-court prowess and improved consistency make her a dangerous opponent for any player. "I'm just taking it one match at a time," she said when asked about Roland Garros. "Right now, I'm focused on recovering and preparing for the semi-final here."
The Italian Open continues to be a breakthrough tournament for Paolini, who had never advanced past the second round in her six previous appearances. Her dramatic victory over Shnaider adds another chapter to what is becoming a career-defining season for the Tuscan native.