Jasmine Paolini in Grand Slam dreamland but tough Iga Swiatek test awaits

PARIS – Reaching a Grand Slam final is probably the dream of any child when they pick up a tennis racket, but Jasmine Paolini, who won her French Open semi-final on June 6, never dared to think so far ahead.

“When I started to play tennis, I was just enjoying. I was not dreaming too much,” said the Italian, who defeated Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva to make it to the Roland Garros title-decider on June 8.

“Then I started to train like a professional tennis player, and I was dreaming to become a professional. I never dreamt to be No. 1 or Grand Slam champion. Never dreamt so big. Step by step, not too far away.”

The 28-year-old late bloomer was shocked to realise that other players did have those dreams from a young age.

“For me, it’s surprising to see interviews from Nole (Novak Djokovic) when he was a kid saying that he wanted to be world No. 1, and (winning) Wimbledon,” she added.

“It’s unbelievable that you can dream as a child. I didn’t dream it when I was a child.

“It’s unbelievable to see Jannik (Sinner) when he was 15 years old say that his dream was to be No. 1. For me, I never dreamt to be in a Grand Slam final. It seems something impossible, and now I’m here.”

It is an astonishing transformation for a player who had never gone beyond the second round of a Grand Slam before the start of this season.

The world No. 15 had won a total of only four matches in 16 Major appearances before advancing to the Australian Open fourth round in January.

Now she is one win away from an improbable title at Roland Garros.

Paolini is having the best season of her career, hands down.

She claimed her biggest title to date – and only the second of her career – in Dubai in February, and is guaranteed to break into the top 10 for the first time after her run in Paris.

But the toughest assignment in women’s tennis still stands between her and glory.

Paolini will play world No. 1, three-time French Open champion and four-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek in the final – highlighting the magnitude of the task.

If the odds are not stacked against her enough, her Polish opponent has never lost in a Grand Slam singles title showdown.

Paolini’s mother is from Poland, and the bubbly 1.63m Italian is on friendly terms with Swiatek.

“I try to speak in Polish, but it’s not easy. I’m a little bit shy because I’m not feeling really confident in it,” she said.

“But when I see her, I say congratulations for the titles she (has won). She does the same. She congratulated me after Dubai. She wished me good luck after matches when we met in the locker room.”

While they have a good relationship behind the scenes, all pleasantries will soon be forgotten on court.

Swiatek is 34-2 at Roland Garros, on a 20-match winning streak in Paris, and seeking a fourth French Open coronation in five years after brushing aside Coco Gauff in her semi-final.

Paolini has won a combined six games in their previous two meetings, the last coming in the first round of the 2022 US Open, before Swiatek went on to win the title.

It is not difficult to guess who the favourite for this clash is.

Swiatek has been loosely dubbed the “Queen of Clay” for her dominance on the surface, attracting comparisons with Rafael Nadal – who has won a record 14 men’s titles and holds a 112-4 French Open record.

“I would never expect anybody to compare me to Rafa because for me, he’s above everybody,” insisted the 23-year-old. “But I’m proud of myself that I’m playing consistently here.”

Swiatek could become only the fourth woman to win at least four Roland Garros titles in the Open era – after Justine Henin, Chris Evert and Steffi Graf.

She is also on track to join Serena Williams as the only women to complete the treble of Madrid, Rome and French Open titles in the same year.

But the top seed is not underestimating Paolini in her quest.

“I need to prepare tactically and see what her game is at now because she has (had) the best season, so she must have changed something.” REUTERS, AFP