French Open star made doubles partner 'cry' as nervous weekend awaits at Roland Garros
Jasmine Paolini is having a fortnight to remember at the French Open.
Sara Errani claimed that Jasmine Paolini made her “cry” as she reflected on her achievements at the French Open. The duo reached the women’s doubles final with a comeback win.
It will be a nervy weekend for both women in Paris, as Paolini is also through to her maiden Grand Slam singles final and will face three-time champion Iga Swiatek on Saturday.
A day later, she will team up with Errani again to try and lift the doubles trophy.
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Paolini is enjoying the best tournament of her life. The world No. 15 had already reached a milestone when she beat Mirra Andreeva in Thursday’s semi-final, booking her spot in Saturday’s championship match.
But there was no time to rest on Friday as the Italian had the doubles semi-final with Errani. They came from a set down to defeat Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Marta Kostyuk 1-6 6-4 6-1, meaning Paolini is in with a chance to lift both titles this weekend.
And her run has left Errani emotional, as the 37-year-old admitted she was in tears thanks to her partner. Asked whether she was more excited for Paolini’s singles final on Saturday or their doubles final on Sunday, she said: “Both. Both same level.
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“It's unbelievable also to be here to support her. To be in her corner is special also for me. We are so good friends. So it's amazing to see her. She already make me cry today. Let's see tomorrow what we can do, and let's see also Sunday.”
Errani herself reached the singles final back in 2012, losing to Maria Sharapova. The former world No. 5 is hoping that she can be of some help to her doubles partner, who has never made it this far at a Major before.
“Yeah, it's special moment. Of course, being in Slam final is amazing. For sure I will speak with Jasmine. If I can help a little bit, for me would be amazing,” she added. “I don't know really what to say. I mean, it's a special moment, and I hope she enjoy. I hope she believe. I believe in her. It's a really tough match, but I think she's an amazing player, so it's tough to speak about her with her here, but this.”
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Regardless of Saturday’s outcome in the singles, Paolini has guaranteed that she will make her top 10 debut next week. It’s been a breakout season for the 28-year-old, who won her first WTA 1000 earlier this year in Dubai. But she confessed that there wasn’t one specific turning point that helped her reach new heights 13 years after turning pro.
“I don't think there is, you know, a special moment when it changed. I think it was like a process. I started to play better and better, to play better against also top players because before I was, like, 6-1, 6-1 or 6-2, 6-1 and no match, but then I started to be there,” she said after beating Andreeva on Thursday.
“I lost all the matches, more or less, against the top players, but I was getting closer and closer, you know. That helped me with the confidence. Now with more matches, let's say, in my pocket, I feel more confidence in my game, in myself. So, as I said many times, I step on court believing that I can win those matches, and that's I think the main click that I did then, you know.”
