Paolini gives in to Rybakina, qualification for the Finals postponed

Jasmine Paolini’s misstep arrives in Ningbo. The Italian tennis player lost in the semifinals of the WTA 500, beaten by Elena Rybakina with a score of 6-3 6-2 after an intense battle that lasted an hour and a half. Both top 10 and determined to achieve the same goal, the two challenged each other point for point, but it was the Kazakh’s powerful serve that made the difference. This defeat reopens the games for qualification for the WTA Finals, with three protagonist players and two places available. Paolini remains in seventh place in the Race with 4325 points, followed by Mirra Andreeva at 4320. A tournament victory for Rybakina (currently ninth with 4130 points) in Ningbo would take her to 4305, very close to the Italian. The race for a place in Riyadh will then move to Tokyo, where the Italian and the Kazakh will be competing.

the match

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Only one goal unites the two players, two top players on the women’s circuit, and the direct clash becomes a battle in every exchange and for every point. The first break point was offered by Elena Rybakina in the opening game, in which the first serve was scarce. Having canceled out the chance by the Kazakh, Jasmine Paolini was also called upon to rely on a super forehand in the fourth game to hold on to her serve. In the first set nothing is taken for granted, the rallies are long and everything is decided at 4-3. After 19 points played in one game, Rybakina takes the break and, having canceled an opportunity to bring her opponent back, closes for the set. At 2-2 in the second set, the Kazakh’s second breakthrough comes. Jasmine goes down 0-40, saves three break points but in the end is forced to give up serve. The 2022 Wimbledon champion’s shifts pass quickly, while other problems arrive for the Tuscan, currently in difficulty. Paolini suffers a double break at 2-4, while Rybakina has to cancel four break points to reach the second final of 2025, where she will face one of Shnaider and Alexandrova.