Paolini survives Fernandez scare to reach Bad Homburg quarters
Second seed Jasmine Paolini overcame a brave fightback from Leylah Fernandez to beat her 7-6(8) 7-6(6) in a dramatic round of 16 clash at the Bad Homburg Open on Tuesday in which Fernandez saved four match points.
Paolini edged the opening set in a tiebreak, saving a set point at 5-4 before sealing it 10-8 after a gruelling 26-shot rally.
The Italian looked on course for a straight-sets win when she led 5-2 in the second, but Canadian Fernandez saved a match point with an ace and clawed her way back.
Paolini held more match points at 6-5, but Fernandez saved all three to force a tiebreak. Fernandez went up 6-4 in the breaker, but Paolini held firm, saving two set points before clinching victory on her fifth match point.
Despite converting only five of her 17 break points, Paolini secured her first win on grass this season after a two and a half hour match.
"It's very fun to play on grass, but you have to get used to it and you have to have confidence as well in your game, if not it's really tough," Paolini said.
"I really like also to go on the net and doing drop volleys and it's fun, it's really fun, but at the same time it's a bit tricky.
"Two and a half hours for two sets looks like a very slow clay court but a great match and I got my first win on grass this year." REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
26 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Neymar extends contract with Santos until end of the year
Neymar extends contract with Santos until end of the year Brazilian forward Neymar has signed a six-month contract extension with Santos, his boyhood club announced on Tuesday. The deal means the 33-year-old remains with Santos until the end of the year, with the possibility of renewing after it expires. "I made a decision and I listened to my heart. Santos is not just my team; it is my home, my roots, my history and my life. I grew up here and became a man here. I am truly loved here. Here I can be myself and be truly happy," Neymar said in a statement. Since returning to Santos in January, Neymar has only played in four Brazilian Championship matches due to a thigh injury that left him sidelined for more than a month. He also tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month. Santos are currently 15th in the Brazilian Serie A table. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
27 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Benfica edge Bayern Munich to top Club World Cup group
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group C - Benfica v Bayern Munich - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. - June 24, 2025 Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Scott Kinser REUTERS Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group C - Benfica v Bayern Munich - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. - June 24, 2025 Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi celebrates after the match REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup struck in the first half to seal a 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in sweltering heat on Tuesday, sending the Portuguese side to the top of Group C at the Club World Cup. After securing their first-ever victory over Bayern, Benfica will face Chelsea or Esperance de Tunis in the last 16. Bayern, finishing second, are set to face Group D leaders Flamengo. "I think our first half wasn't good at all. With the pitch and the heat, I just feared this wouldn't go as fluid as normal," Bayern coach Vincent Kompany told DAZN. "It's football. If you have chances and don't take them, you pay the price... (against Flamengo) it's going to be a tough game. We know we can create chances." Schjelderup broke the deadlock after 13 minutes, netting with a first-time effort from Fredrik Aursnes' low cross from the right, capitalising on a lapse in Bayern's back line. With Bayern already assured of a place in the next round, their rotated lineup lacked urgency and failed to register a single shot on target in a flat first half. The German champions improved after the break and Joshua Kimmich thought he had equalised only for his effort to be ruled out for a Harry Kane offside just past the hour mark. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin played a key role in preserving the lead, producing sharp saves to deny Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leroy Sane. "It was a good game against an amazing team, it was not only me, it was the whole team," said Trubin, who was named man of the match. "It was extremely hot but we did our job." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Smart lockers set to be installed at all ActiveSG stadiums by July
Forum: Smart lockers set to be installed at all ActiveSG stadiums by July We thank the writer for his letter 'Restore locker facilities at ActiveSG stadiums' (June 9). As part of ActiveSG's regular review to continually improve and deliver service excellence to our users, traditional coin-operated lockers are being phased out and replaced with new touchscreen smart lockers across all ActiveSG Sport Centres. The enhanced lockers provide users with the option to access the lockers multiple times within a five-hour period. Compared with the old lockers that require payment each time they are opened, this enhancement addresses the needs of users who require access to their belongings during their exercise sessions. The enhanced lockers also provide greater convenience for users, as payment is cashless and there is no longer a need to hold on to a physical key while they exercise. A progressive installation approach has been adopted, with all ActiveSG swimming complexes now equipped with the new lockers. We are targeting to complete the remaining locker installations at all ActiveSG stadiums by July . ActiveSG remains committed to creating a supportive environment that helps everyone stay active and healthy. We appreciate our patrons' understanding during this transition period as we work towards reintroducing lockers to all our ActiveSG stadiums. Abdul Rahman Hassan Senior Director, Centre Operations ActiveSG More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
