Jasmine Paolini fights back to reach Italian Open semis
Rome, May 14 (UNI) Home favourite Jasmine Paolini recovered from a set down and a 4-0 deficit
in the second set to edge past Diana Shnaider and reach the Italian Open semi-finals.
The sixth seed claimed a 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-2 victory on Tuesday to become the first Italian woman to reach the last four in Rome since 2014 when her doubles partner, Sara Errani, was beaten by
Serena Williams in the final.
Having won the opening set after a tie-break, Shnaider led 3-0 in the second before rain interrupted play.
Shnaider held serve to stretch her advantage to 4-0 after play resumed but Paolini, backed by the vociferous home support, won the next six games to level the match.
Paolini, who cruised to victory in the deciding set, paid testament to Errani for her influential words
of encouragement during the rain delay, the BBC reported.
"It was a good thing that it rained for five minutes. I got some coaching from Sara," Paolini said of Errani, who was watching from the stands.
The 29-year-old will face either two-time Italian Open winner Elina Svitolina or Peyton Stearns in
the last four.
Raffaella Reggi was the last Italian woman to win the tournament in 1985.
UNI BM
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