Jasmine Paolini Ends Decade-Long Drought with Stunning Wuhan Open Upset
Jasmine Paolini has pulled off a remarkable feat at the Wuhan Open, ending a ten-year stay for an Italian semi-finalist at the event.
The Italian star stunned World No. 2 Iga Swiatek with a dominant 6- 1, 6- 2 performance.
Paolini had faced Swiatek six times ahead without success. But in their seventh hassle, she eventually turned the tables.
WHAT A PERFORMANCE @JasminePaolini with a flawless display to defeat Swiatek 6-1, 6-2 and become a semifinalist in Wuhan
#WuhanOpen pic.twitter.com/5WCL06UCII— wta (@WTA) October 10, 2025
Her palm also shattered a record previously held by Coco Gauff, pressing the sheer scale of her achievement.
“This is an incredible moment for me,” Paolini said after the match. “I’ve worked so hard, and to get this win against a player like Iga is just unbelievable.”
The last time an Italian reached the Wuhan Open semi-finals was back in 2015, when Roberta Vinci achieved the feat.
Vinci went on to face Serena Williams in a memorable three- set tie- break clash, hardly losing but leaving a lasting print.
Paolini’s progression marks her as only the alternate Italian ever to reach this stage at Wuhan. It also ends a decade-long absence of Italian representation in the final four, signaling a new period for Italian women’s tennis.
Paolini’s semi-final opponent will be American sensation Coco Gauff. The two have faced each other five times, with Paolini leading three triumphs to two.
Specifically, Paolini has beaten Gauff in their last three hassles, including palms at the Rome Open and Cincinnati Open.
“This head-to-head gives me confidence,” Paolini admitted. “But Coco is an amazing player, so I’ll need to bring my best game again.”
Gauff’s triumphs over Paolini came on hard courts in Adelaide( 2021) and Cincinnati( 2023), showing that the match could be nearly queried. suckers are bracing for another tight battle.
Jasmine Paolini’s palm against Swiatek not only marks a particular corner but also cements her status as a rising force on the WTA Tour.
Judges are now keeping a close eye on her performance in Wuhan, prognosticating an implicit final appearance if she maintains her current instigation.
The semi-final pledges fireworks. Paolini is no longer the sacrifice she formerly was. She’s a player with history on her side and instigation in her game.
