Paolini savors her victory over Gauff: "Before, I saw top players as untouchable when I faced them"

Adrien Guyot

le 20/04/2025 à 07h15

2 min to read

Gauff Paolini Sabalenka

Saturday evening, Jasmine Paolini secured the last ticket to the semifinals of the WTA 500 in Stuttgart. Despite a rocky start, the Italian, ranked 6th in the world, eventually prevailed over Coco Gauff, an opponent she had never beaten in their two previous encounters (6-4, 6-3).

Under the guidance of her new coach Marc Lopez, Paolini defeated a top-10 player for the first time in 2025 and reached her second semifinal of the year after Miami.

Next, she will face Aryna Sabalenka at this stage of the tournament, the same player who denied her a spot in the final in Florida. This will be her chance for revenge, but before that, she reflected on her straight-set victory over the American.

"It was truly a great performance. I didn’t start well, but I tried to tell myself to stay focused. I was down 4-2, but little by little, I started hitting the ball better and feeling more comfortable.

I don’t think there have been major changes in recent months. I believe I’m still the same person, but now I have more confidence and more security.

Every time I step onto the court, I tell myself, ‘Okay, I can do this,’ even when facing very strong players like Coco (Gauff). I always know I can play my game.

Before, I saw top players as untouchable when I faced them. Today, I’m very happy with how I’m playing.

My goal is to give my best in every match, to always find a way to win," Paolini analyzed before discussing her upcoming duel against the world No. 1.

"I used to lose 6-1, 6-1 against certain players, but let’s not say too much. Tomorrow (Sunday), I have to face Sabalenka.

With a different surface, I hope everything will change compared to the match we played in Miami. I’ll try my best, to put her in trouble, but it will be very tough," she admitted to Super Tennis after her win over Gauff.