Paolini topples Kalinskaya for Dubai title!

Jasmine Paolini has just won the 2024 edition of the Dubai Tennis Championships, her very first WTA 1000 title. In the final, she managed to turn the tables on Anna Kalinskaya, winning 4/6, 7/5, 7/5 after 2 hours 23 minutes.

Paolini had to be mentally tough to win the most important trophy of her career at the age of 28. She was first down by a set and a break to Kalinskaya, who then seemed to have the match in hand (6/4, 3/1). But the Italian was able to turn the tide and level the match at one set apiece 30 minutes later.

In the final act, it was once again the Russian who seemed to make the difference. She broke in the 3rd game and held on to lead 3/1 then 5/3. The title seemed to be in her grasp, but Paolini decided otherwise. The Italian dominated the last 4 games of the match and, 12 minutes later, took the title (4/6, 7/5, 7/5).