"Deserved" - Chris Evert reacts to Jasmine Paolini's latest ranking achievement after China Open doubles heroics
Chris Evert expressed her delight at Jasmine Paolini's "deserved" rise in doubles rankings after the Italian lifted the 2024 China Open Cup with on-court partner Sara Errani.
The fifth seeds sealed their victory against Chan Hao-ching and Veronika Kudermetova, 6-4, 6-4, in Beijing on Sunday, October 6. With the win, the duo became the first Italians to win the China Open. It also propelled Paolini to her career-high ranking of doubles—World No. 9.
World No. 6 in singles, Paolini is now in the Top 10 in both formats of the game. Chris Evert took to X to react to a post noting the 28-year-old's achievement.
"Deserved. What a year she's had!" she wrote.
Paolini and Errani have previously won the 2024 Italian Open on home soil. The highlight of their season has been winning the Gold medal at this year's Paris Olympics.
The China Open is Paolini's 5th and former World No. 1 Errani's 31st WTA doubles title win. It also seals a spot for the duo at the year-end WTA Finals in Riyadh next month.
A brief look at Jasmine Paolini's singles season so far
Jasmine Paolini is having one of her finest seasons on the WTA Tour so far. She tasted her first title-victory of the year and second overall at the 2024 Dubai Open in February. Unseeded, she defeated the likes of Beatrize Haddad Maia and Elena Rybakina en-route to the final where she overcame Anna Kalinskaya for the title.
Paolini's A-game on clay saw her through to her first Grand Slam final at the 2024 French Open. She was bested by Iga Swiatek who took the French Open trophy home for the fourth time.
In her runner-up speech at the presentation ceremony, the Italian was all-smiles as she said:
"Its been very intense 15 days and I'm really happy and proud of me and my team to be here. Today was tough but I am really proud of myself anyway."
Paolini added yet another milestone in her career with a runner-up silver-plate at the 2024 Wimbledon Championship in her second consecutive Grand Slam final.
At the presentation ceremony, Paolini remained upbeat despite her loss against the reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova.
"Today, I'm a little bit sad. I try just to keep smiling because I have to remember that today is still a good day. I did the final at Wimbledon," she said.
Jasmine Paolini began the year as World No. 30 and with consistent performance is currently the No. 6 spot. She has also registered an impressive 35/16 win-loss record in the season so far.
Paolini is competing at the 2024 Wuhan Open where she has received a first-round bye. She will clash with Yue Yuan in the Round of 32 on Wednesday, October 9.