Jasmine Paolini is keeping the Italian flag flying high in Rome, overcoming Diana Schnaider 6-7 (1), 6-4, 6-2 to reach the semifinals on home soil for the first time.
What happened?
Paolini's victory marks a significant milestone for Italian tennis, with the Tuscany native being the only one out of 10 Italian players to make it past the second round at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.
Why it matters for Jasmine Paolini
The 15-year anniversary of Francesca Schiavone's Roland Garros win is approaching, and Paolini remembers watching the match as a young player, getting emotional despite her age.
Paolini reflected on Schiavone's win, saying it was an unbelievable tournament with great memories.
What comes next?
Paolini awaits the winner of Peyton Stearns and Elina Svitolina in the semifinals on Thursday, as she looks to become Italy's third major champion, following in the footsteps of Schiavone and Flavia Pennetta.
The Italian tennis scene is alive, with Paolini leading the charge on the WTA Tour and inspiring a new generation of players, including those who will be competing in the upcoming Roland Garros tournament.
Paolini's current ranking of world No. 5 is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport, and she will be looking to make a strong impression at the French Open.
As Paolini prepares for her next match, she will be drawing on the inspiration of players like Schiavone, who paved the way for Italian tennis players to compete at the highest level.
The Internazionali BNL d’Italia has been a successful tournament for Paolini so far, and she will be looking to carry this momentum forward into the rest of the season.
With the support of her fans and the Italian tennis community, Paolini is well-placed to make a deep run in the tournament and potentially become Italy's next Grand Slam champion.