© Getty Images Sport – Christopher Pike
Jasmine Paolini recounted a hilarious anecdote after reaching the Dubai final as the 28-year-old Italian revealed she was thinking “who is this player” during her first meeting with Iga Swiatek.
On Friday, world No. 26 Paolini defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-2 7-6 (6) to reach the biggest final of her career at a WTA 1000 tournament in Dubai. After beating Cirstea, Paolini was awaiting the winner of the other semifinal between Swiatek and Anna Kalinskaya.
In the press conference, Paolini was asked to address the prospect of potentially facing Swiatek or Kalinskaya in the Dubai final. Paolini then recalled Swiatek destroying her 6-2 6-1 in the ITF Prague in 2018. At the time of their first meeting, Paolini was 22 while Swiatek was 16.
“I remember one time, I think we played in Prague, something like that and I was like, ‘Who is this player?’ (laughing),” Paolini said.
“She was hitting winners everywhere. But it was actually on clay courts.
“She is a great player, she is doing unbelievable, she is No. 1 for two or three years, already has won four Grand Slams… So, she doesn’t need any presentation.”
