Jasmine Paolini was eliminated by Anastasia Kostyuk on 6 July 2026 at Wimbledon, the Russian posting a 6‑2, 6‑3 victory that sent her into the semi‑finals.
What happened on Centre Court?
Kostyuk struck early, breaking Paolini’s serve in the first game and never looking back. The Italian struggled to find rhythm, committing three double faults while Kostyuk fired 12 winners. By the end of the first set, Paolini trailed 2‑6 and could not recover.
How did the match unfold?
The second set mirrored the first. Paolini managed a single break at 3‑3 but Kostyuk answered with an ace on the next point and held serve to seal the set 6‑3. Paolini’s forehand, usually a weapon, produced only 15 unforced errors, a stark contrast to Kostyuk’s aggressive baseline play.
Why does this loss matter for Paolini?
Paolini entered Wimbledon as the 12th seed, hoping to improve her Grand Slam record after a solid 2025 season. The early exit drops her ranking points by 180, potentially slipping her out of the top‑15. It also raises questions about her preparation on grass, a surface that has historically challenged her serve‑and‑volley transitions.
What’s next for Kostyuk?
Kostyuk’s win earns her a place in the semi‑finals, where she will face the winner of the quarter‑final between Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka. Her powerful groundstrokes and confidence after the straight‑sets victory suggest she could be a dark horse for the title.
How will Paolini respond?
Paolini’s camp confirmed she will return to training in Rome next week, focusing on serve consistency and movement on low‑bounce courts. She has expressed determination to bounce back at the upcoming Cincinnati Masters, where she hopes to regain form before the US Open.
The Wimbledon loss is a setback, but Paolini’s resilience and experience at the top level mean she remains a contender in the season’s remaining majors.