"I'm really proud of myself anyway" - Jasmine Paolini shrugs off French Open final defeat to Iga Swiatek after memorable run in Paris
Jasmine Paolini said that she was proud of her French Open run despite losing in the final. The Pole lost 6-2, 6-1 to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in her maiden Grand Slam final.
Paolini made an early break in the opening set but Swiatek was just too good for her on the day and got the win to clinch her fourth French Open crown.
The 28-year-old gave a runner-up speech after the trophies were presented. Paolini said that she was very proud of herself despite how the final turned out for her.
"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 said.
The Italian also thanked the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier, saying:
You were cheering for me and that was unbelievable."
Jasmine Paolini, who was the 12th seed, enjoyed an incredible run at the French Open, which she started with straight-set wins over Daria Saville and Hailey Baptiste. She then beat Bianca Andreescu 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 before bouncing back from a set down and beating Elena Avanesyan 4-6, 6-1, 6-0.
Paolini shocked fourth seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 before making easy work of Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals, triumphing 6-3, 6-1. The Italian's defeat to Iga Swiatek in the final means that her Grand Slam record in 2024 is 10-2, having previously reached the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Jasmine Paolini's French Open journey yet to be over after singles final defeat
Jasmine Paolini has had an impressive run at the French Open, which is yet to end. The 28-year-old will be involved in the women's doubles final, where she is partnering Sara Errani.
The 11th-seeded duo from Italy will lock horns with fifth seeds Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova. Both pairs did not drop a single set in their first four matches before winning their respective semifinals after coming back from a set down.
If Paolini and Errani win, they will become only the second Italian duo to win the women's doubles title at the French Open. Errani was a part of the previous team that attained this feat in 2012, partnering Roberta Vinci.
Jasmine Paolini has had a pretty decent 2024 season so far, winning 23 out of 33 matches so far, with the Dubai Tennis Championships to her name, her first WTA 1000 title.