Jasmine Paolini — Italy's sensation on the WTA Tour — was already having an exceptional year before September arrived, and then it got even better for her. The stretch in Asia closes out the seasons for both the ATP and WTA Tours, with main events still to be played in China and Japan. Paolini, currently set to begin play at the AUX Ningbo Open in China this week, has already made good on her time there, and there's a good chance she isn't done yet.
In late September, Paolini and her regular doubles partner, Sara Errani, captured the China Open in Beijing, the duo's fourth title together this year. They previously won in Rome and Doha earlier in the year, but their most significant achievement came at Roland Garros, their first Grand Slam victory together.
For Paolini, Errani has been her rock throughout her career, but in the singles tour, the younger Italian is having no problems holding up her own. During the stretch in Asia, it's increasingly proving to be the case. Paolini is on a roll and playing the best tennis of the year.
Jasmine Paolini on the verge of claiming a spot in WTA Finals
In Beijing, Paolini had a solid singles run until she fell to American up-and-comer Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinal. Paolini then shifted to Wuhan, where, after she and Errani dropped out of the doubles draw, Paolini went on a run to the semifinal. Again, though, her run was cut short, this time by Coco Gauff.
Despite the loss to Gauff, if you believe in moral victories in the world of sports, Paolini stole one in the quarterfinal against Iga Świątek, whom Paolini had never beaten before in six tries. The win was possibly Paolini's best singles win of her career, aside from her wins that led to titles. Świątek has routed many on the WTA Tour in recent years and remains one of, if not the best, women's players in tennis today.
Paolini was finally able to pull through. Unfortunately, there would be no finals appearance for her in Wuhan, though. Still, a semifinal run is something to be proud of, and should give her plenty of momentum and confidence heading into Ningbo.
As it happens, the two players Paolini is jostling with for WTA Finals positioning are Mirra Andreeva and Elena Rybakina. There are two spots left, and as fate would have it, all three players are competing in Ningbo. It's likely that the results there will determine where each land when it's all said and done. For Paolini, this event could propel her to make her second appearance in the WTA Finals.
She will, of course, have to have a solid tournament in Ningbo, and another semifinal trip would likely do it. She would likely have to avoid Rybakina along the way, but having two spots to fight for over instead of one certainly gives Paolini a good chance. Paolini and Rybakina are also scheduled to play in the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, Japan, following Ningbo.
Paolini's play in China thus far has kept her play, and judging by the way she's continued to play late into the tennis season, her Italian magic is still running hot.