Jasmine Paolini is preparing to play in the biggest match of her career against Iga Swiatek in Saturday’s French Open final.
The Italian became just the third player in the last decade to reach her first Grand Slam final at the clay court major after turning 28, while the Pole is into her fifth major final at the age of just 23.
The 12th seed avenged her Madrid Open loss to Mirra Andreeva by brushing the teenager aside in Thursday’s semi-final for a chance to win one of tennis’ four most prestigious tournaments.
Paolini is aiming to become the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam since Francesca Schiavone lifted the Roland Garros title in 2010, but she has the task of defeating the game’s best player on her favourite surface.
Jasmine Paolini shared some kind words about Iga Swiatek
Paolini beamed with pride after defeating Andreeva for the loss of just four games to reach Saturday’s championship match.
During her post match press conference she commented on Swiatek, who had beaten Coco Gauff 6-2, 6-4 to give herself a chance to win the French Open for the fourth time and third in a row.
Both players have Polish roots, as the World number one was born and raised in the country while Paolini’s mother is of Polish descent. The player tries to communicate in Polish with Swiatek, who she has the greatest respect and admiration for.
“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, but of course, when I see her, I say congratulations for the titles she can win,” Paolini said.
“She does the same. She congratulated me after Dubai. She wishes me good luck after matches when we meet in the locker room. So, yeah, I try to speak Polish, but, you know, it’s not easy for me, but we have a relationship, yeah.”
What is Jasmine Paolini’s head-to-head record against Iga Swiatek?
Paolini has faced Swiatek on just two occasions, one of which came at the 2022 US Open. In the opening round the WTA’s top ranked player secured a 6-3, 6-0 win and went on to win the tournament.
Their only previous meeting on clay came at the 2018 Prague open in the round of 16, which Swiatek claimed 6-2, 6-1.
But Paolini has progressed since those previous matches and she aims to hand Swiatek her first loss at the French Open since 2021.
“Iga is an unbelievable player. So young, but so many achievements and Grand Slams. Here she won three times,” she said.
“She’s doing well week by week, and that’s not easy. So l have huge respect for her, but my goal is to step on court Saturday and try to enjoy the match and to enjoy that moment and to try to play a good match and to make a good performance on court.”
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