Match never in question (6-0 6-2) closed by the Italian in an hour and 13 minutes
Jasmine Paolini can finally smile again after a less than exciting start to 2026. At the WTA 500 in Merida, a thoughtful choice made at the last corner with the clear objective of putting her legs back and confidence in her game, the Italian regained victory against Priscilla Hon. A positive result that had been missing since January 21st against Frech, second round of the Australian Open. 6-0 6-2, without discounts and never in question, the score that gives Paolini the first quarter-final since last October in Ningbo. And which is also the clearest, in one of his victories, since the 2024 United Cup: then he inflicted the same treatment on the French Chloe Paquet.
the match
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On the not very fast Mexican concrete Paolini immediately starts strong, with the desire to impose his game and leave no references to the Australian. Especially with the forehand, the Italian is in command, quickly finding the break, and saving an immediate chance to return. With the advantage confirmed, the match becomes downhill for Jasmine, above all due to her merits rather than Hon’s faults. And from there we quickly reach the 6-0 closure of the first set. In the second, adopting some good changes of pace and also calling Paolini to the net, the WTA n.136 tries to make up for it and finds the counter-break to the initial disadvantage. But it’s a flash in the pan. Jasmine plays with awareness and precision, emphasizing the distance between the two. A few good points are not enough for Hon, who was more solid in the second set on the backhand side, to break the blue’s armor. Which ends, after an hour and 13, on the first match point, causing a forced error to the Australian.
next commitment
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Regardless of the opponent’s level, Paolini came out of her debut in Merida very well, both from the point of view of play and attitude. Something needs to be reviewed on the service percentages, in any case not his main weapon, but good things have been seen in the exchange and groundstrokes. In the quarter-finals she will face the British Katie Boulter, who has sunk to 69th position but was formerly n.23 in the WTA rankings. The Italian is ahead 3-1 in the previous matches, with the last victory on outdoor hard courts dating back to Indian Wells 2022. The match, the last one on the programme, will be in the middle of the Italian night, not before 2.30am.
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