Jazz Rocks: Paolini Pounds Swiatek for First Time to Power Into Wuhan Semifinals

By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, October 10, 2025
Photo credits: Wuhan Open/CVG

Every match is a story and Jasmine Paolini’s past encounters with Iga Swiatek had been horror shows.

Today, a proactive Paolini faced her fears and vanquished the pain with a spirited upset.

Winless in six prior meetings vs. the former No. 1, Paolini pounded Swiatek 6-1, 6-2 surging into the Wuhan Open semifinals with one of her most impressive performances of the season.

In a rematch of the 2024 Roland Garros final in which Swiatek permitted just three games, Paolini was striking sharply throughout shredding Swiatek in just 65 minutes.

“Finally I won a match,” a beaming Paolini said afterward. “I’m super happy about my level. Just feels amazing.”

The 29-year-old Paolini will face reigning Roland Garros champion Coco Gauff for a spot in Sunday’s final.

The third-seeded Gauff roared through seven games in a row demolishing German Laura Siegemund 6-3, 6-0 in a powerful performance. Gauff converted five of eight break points in an 85-minute victory.

“I think I had chances in the first set to even have a greater lead, so I think I just capitalized more on those chances in the second set,” said Gauff.

World No. 5 Paolini had won just one of 13 prior sets against Swiatek.

When Swiatek slapped a forehand into net, Paolini broke to seize a near-flawless 26-minute first set.

Dictating play with her forehand, Paolini suffocated Swiatek on serve converting all six of her break-point chances.

A disconsolate Swiatek had no answers for the relentless Rome champion.

It was Paolini’s 26th WTA 1000 win this season, which equals No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka for second place on Tour behind Swiatek’s 28 victories at the 1000 level.