Paolini channels composure to advance in Ningbo
With WTA Finals qualification hovering in the balance, Jasmine Paolini outlasts Veronika Kudermetova’s erratic surges on the hard courts, her steady play turning close calls into a vital step forward.
In the crisp October light of the AUX Ningbo Open, Jasmine Paolini steadied her game against the unpredictable swings of Veronika Kudermetova, securing a 6-2, 7-5 second-round win that edges her closer to the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The No. 2 seed’s controlled aggression neutralized her opponent’s power, positioning the Italian just one strong result away from locking in her year-end spot. This victory, on outdoor hard courts that reward precision, underscores Paolini’s season-long climb through high-pressure moments.
Early breaks demand swift recovery
Kudermetova pounced early, breaking in the opening game with aggressive forehands that exploited the surface’s pace, forcing Paolini into defensive crosscourt exchanges. The Russian repeated the feat in the second set’s fifth game, slamming four clean winners—including sharp down-the-line backhands—that briefly tilted the momentum and stirred the Ningbo crowd’s anticipation. Yet each time, her lead evaporated through a flurry of unforced errors, allowing Paolini to reclaim control with deep returns and inside-out forehands that pinned her back.
Paolini’s adaptability shone as she varied her patterns, mixing one–two combinations with underspin backhands to disrupt Kudermetova’s rhythm and draw errors from the baseline. The Italian’s footwork kept her low to the ball, redirecting pace effectively on the faster hard courts where she’s honed her flatter strokes this year. This tactical poise turned potential setbacks into opportunities, her focus unwavering amid the match’s emotional ebbs.
“I’m trying to focus on the court, on the next one,” Paolini said in her on-court interview. “it’s something on my mind, of course, but I try to stay focused on tennis and what I have to do.”
Serve efficiency powers through tension
Landing 75 percent of her first serves, Paolini dictated rallies with consistent depth, her low slices forcing Kudermetova into uncomfortable positions and limiting her power game. She notched 14 winners against 17 unforced errors, a disciplined output that contrasted sharply with the Russian’s 55 percent first-serve rate, 22 winners, and 38 errors that often clustered after promising starts. As the second set intensified, Kudermetova’s clutch volleys and aces prolonged points, but Paolini absorbed the pressure, using crosscourt redirection to stay in every exchange.
The head-to-head shifted further in Paolini’s favor, now 4-2 overall and 2-0 in 2025, building on their three-set semifinal in Cincinnati where similar resilience prevailed. Kudermetova’s third double fault on match point sealed the outcome, a culmination of Paolini’s mental edge in weathering the volatility. Post-match, she reflected on that grit, revealing the inner resolve driving her late-season surge.
“I managed to stay there every point, stay focused and try to find solutions,” Paolini added.
Quarterfinal clash sharpens Finals path
A final run in Ningbo guarantees Paolini’s Riyadh berth outright, though a semifinal suffices if No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina falls before the last four, adding layers to the tournament’s stakes. She faces No. 6 seed Belinda Bencic on Friday, where the Swiss leads their head-to-head 2-1 through versatile all-court play on hard courts. Paolini will counter with varied returns—deep crosscourt to pull Bencic wide, inside-in forehands to exploit openings—while tuning out the rankings math.
For tournament details, check Ningbo: Scores, Draws, and Order of play to track the unfolding action. The crowd’s energy in Ningbo, from murmurs during breaks to cheers on winners, amplified the match’s tempo, mirroring the psychological weight Paolini carries. As she steps toward the quarters, her focus on the immediate court promises to transform qualification pressure into another breakthrough, her game pulsing with the quiet determination of a player ascending.
