Italian tennis player Jasmine Paolini eliminated Bianca Andreescu of Canada, 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-4, in two hours and 48 minutes in the first round of the US Open Grand Slam tournament, Wednesday (28/8)
In an entertaining and sometimes tense first set, Andreescu, the 2019 champion, dictated play from the baseline and led 3-1, but Paolini fought back to level at 3-3.
Andreescu, who came in as a wild card, broke in the next game to take a 4-3 lead. After Andreescu held serve for a 5-3 lead, Paolini fought back to hold a set point in the ninth game and cut the deficit to 4-5.
The Italian rallied in the 10th game as she saved three set points and continued to break Andreescu’s serve to level the match at 5-5.
But Andreescu bounced back to win three straight points to take a marathon first set, which took her 80 minutes to complete.
However, Andreescu, who hit 17 winners in the first set, could not maintain the momentum and Paolini quickly took control in the second set as she used three service breaks to lead 5-0.
Also read: Andreescu Decides to Withdraw from US Open
Paolini overcomes service break in the sixth game and served for the set in the eighth game to take the match to a deciding third set.
After Andreescu opened the final set with a service hold, Paolini fought off three break point to hold his own serve. He then broke in the next game to take a 2-1 lead.
Andreescu appeared to lose her concentration as Paolini increased her lead to 3-1.
Read also: Swiatek Starts US Open Journey with Confidence
At the end of the set, Andreescu rallied to level the score at 4-4, but in the ninth game, Paolini forehand winner a beautiful break to take a 5-4 lead.
That was what Paolini needed as he finished the match to advance to the second round.
“It was a very tough match. Andreescu is a great champion. We played three times this year and it was always tough,” Paolini was quoted as saying on the tournament’s official website. “I really enjoy playing here, this energy, this crowd… The atmosphere is amazing.” (M-3)
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