Paolini eliminates Bouzkova at the WTA 1000 in Beijing: Italian advances to the quarterfinals

After a tight second set, Jasmine Paolini ultimately gained the upper hand over Marie Bouzkova and will compete in the quarterfinals in the Chinese capital.

In the final match of the day at the WTA 1000 in Beijing, Jasmine Paolini and Marie Bouzkova faced off with the ambition of advancing further in the competition.

This was the first encounter between the two women on the WTA tour. Paolini had eliminated Sevastova and Kenin, while Bouzkova had dominated Maria, Linette, and Kudermetova to reach the round of 16.

In control early in the match, Paolini quickly made the difference to secure the first set. However, the world number 8 had to work much harder in the second set.

In a set marked by five consecutive breaks between the two players, the recent BJK Cup winner was mentally stronger. Trailing in the score three times with a break down, Paolini ultimately accelerated at the end of the match. Despite three missed match points, she finally closed it out on her opponent's serve to win in two sets (6-2, 7-5 in 1h45).

Paolini qualifies for the quarterfinals of a WTA 1000 for the fourth time this season after Miami (semifinal), Rome (won the final), and Cincinnati (final). To try to go even further, she will have to overcome Amanda Anisimova, who earlier in the day upset Karolina Muchova.

The two women have already met on the main tour, in the first round of the WTA 250 in Parma in 2021 on clay. At that time, the American won without difficulty (6-2, 6-1). Paolini will therefore have the opportunity for revenge.