WHAT HAPPENED: On Tuesday, Italy’s Jasmine Paoline needed 2 hours and 48 minutes to scratch and claw her way past 2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in a brutal first-round battle in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
On Thursday, she needed just six minutes to advance as 2016 runner-up Karolina Pliskova was forced to retire with a left ankle injury after just three points. The former world No.1, playing in her 12th US Open main draw, rolled her ankle while returning serve and immediately sought attention from the on-court medical staff.
After a consultation she elected to retire the match, which sent Paolini to the third round in Flushing Meadows for the first time.
“I think it’s so sad, I hope she recovers really soon,” Paolini said on court after the match. “I hope she recovers well and hope to see her again soon on court.”
WHAT IT MEANS: Paolini’s remarkable rise at the majors continues unabated in 2024. In her 16 Grand Slam main draw appearances prior to 2024, the 5-foot-4 Italian had won just four of 20 matches. This season she has turned the corner and become a Grand Slam juggernaut.
Paolini, who reached her maiden Grand Slam final at Roland-Garros and backed that up with another runner-up performance at Wimbledon, improves to 17-3 at the majors this year with Wednesday’s abbreviated victory.
“Finally we made the third round,” she told the crowd with a giggle. “This year was a little bit different from the last years, and I’m really happy. We put a lot of work together with my coach and my fitness coach. Finally it’s paying off on court.”
How is the 28-year-old reacting to her newfound success?
“It’s crazy,” she said. “Just try to enjoy it and not put too much pressure on myself. I just enjoy the place where I am. I think it’s beautiful to play in these kinds of stadiums against top players and I am really enjoying it. It’s what I was dreaming about as a kid – it’s unbelievable.
“I repeat to myself: just enjoy, smile, and remind myself that this is the best place for me to be.”
Ranked No. 35 this time last year, Paolini is now the No. 5 player in the world. She will face Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva, the No. 30 seed in the third round. Paolini defeated Putintseva in their only previous meeting, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4, at Portoroz in 2021.
MATCH POINT: By claiming her 17th Grand Slam match wins of 2017, Paolini has equalled Sara Errani (2012) for the most in the Open Era by an Italian woman in a calendar year.
