French Open: Jasmine Paolini on 'great feeling' of reaching maiden Grand Slam final - 'It seems impossible'

ByAlasdair Mackenzie

Published 06/06/2024 at 22:55 GMT

Jasmine Paolini booked her place in a career-first Grand Slam final when she defeated Mirra Andreeva at the French Open on Thursday. The 28-year-old Italian, who had not made it beyond the fourth round at a major before this week, said "it seems something impossible." She will face reigning champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the title in Saturday's final.

Jasmine Paolini was left struggling to compute her “impossible” achievement of reaching a maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open.

The Italian had never made it to the quarter-finals at a major until this week, but booked a place in Saturday’s showpiece match by beating Mirra Andreeva in straight sets.

“It’s a great feeling to be in a Grand Slam final,” said the Italian. “It seems something impossible, you know, but it’s true.”

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The 28-year-old has enjoyed an impressive run at Roland-Garros, particularly in taking down fourth seed Elena Rybakina in the last eight.

But she faces an altogether different challenge when she faces two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the trophy on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

“Iga is unbelievable player,” Paolini added. “So young, but so many achievements and Grand Slams.”

It has been a sensational week for Italian tennis, with Jannik Sinner rising to world No. 1 for the first time following his quarter-final victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the men's singles.

The Australian Open champion faces Carlos Alcaraz in a mouthwatering semi-final on Friday, and Paolini was delighted to see her compatriot thriving.

French Open highlights - Paolini reaches maiden final with victory over Andreeva

• 'We'll see in 14 years' - Swiatek 'proud' to be compared with 'total legend' Nadal

• ‘She played beautifully’ - Paolini was ‘too good’ for Andreeva, says Durie

• French Open semi-finals order of play and schedule: Alcaraz v Sinner, Ruud v Zverev

“It’s unbelievable to see Jannik when he was 15 years old say that his dream was to be No. 1,” Paolini said.

“For me it’s something different. I never dreamed to be in a Grand Slam final, and I’m here. I’m so happy.”

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You can watch every day of the 2024 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.

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