Jasmine Paolini narrowly defeats Anna Kalinskaya to win Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships WTA 1000 title

Jasmine Paolini broke out in a huge smile after she won the WTA 1000 final in Dubai over qualifier Anna Kalinskaya in a three-set thriller, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5. This is Paolini's first WTA 1000 title win and caps off a week of stellar tennis where she defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia, Leylah Fernandez, Maria Sakkari, and Sorana Cirstea.

Kalinskaya also had a career week advancing from the qualifier rounds to beat three Grand Slam champions in consecutive rounds: Jelena Ostapenko in the Round of 16, Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals, and Iga Swiatek in the semifinals.

Paolini was fiery and emotional while Kalinskaya was stoic so it was hard to read her emotions. It was a tug of war between the two and up until 5-5 in the final set, it was unclear who would emerge the victor.

Paolini elevated her game at the right times

The difference was that Jasmine Paolini made the outstanding winning shot when she needed to, at the end of the second and third sets when the match was on Kalinskaya's racquet. Her athleticism shone through as she ran down every point and forced Kalinskaya to keep hitting.

Both players played great tennis and put on a terrific final match that was devoid of seeded players, but both will move up the rankings. It was hard to cheer for or against either as a fan and spectactor because I wanted both of them to win.

Any given week women's tennis produces this type of quality from players who are not in the everyday conversation. It is a brilliant time for the women's game with so many talented players at a range of ages and experience levels. The WTA is in good hands with the players it has right now.

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