"The conditions were very different from the previous matches," admits Paolini after advancing to the second week of Roland-Garros

Jasmine Paolini will indeed be present for the round of 16 at Porte d’Auteuil. Last year’s finalist, who dropped a set in her opening match against Yuan Yue, regained her footing in her next two rounds—against Ajla Tomljanovic and, this Friday, in the third round against Ukrainian lucky loser Yuliia Starodubtseva (6-4, 6-1).

Despite a shaky start, the world No. 4 ultimately held her ground against the 81st-ranked player, despite committing 24 unforced errors. In the press conference, the Italian reflected on the match.

"Overall, it was a good match. I got back into it after a few games. At the beginning, I can’t explain why, but I wasn’t feeling very well. The conditions were very different from the previous matches.

There was a lot of humidity, but I’m satisfied with the win, and I thank the crowd who stayed to support me. There’s always a bit of tension when you step onto the court, but compared to the past, I experience it differently now.

I have more experience now. A year ago, when I arrived here in Paris, I had only reached the round of 16 in a Grand Slam once. In Australia in January, I didn’t yet have the consistency I’ve developed later in the season.

When you play against the best players in the world, you always try to bring out your best tennis, and sometimes that makes you rush and feel anxious.

It’s happened to me, but now I hope it’ll happen to other players when they have to face me," concluded Paolini, who will face another Ukrainian player in the next round—Elina Svitolina—for Tennis World Italia.