Jasmine Paolini (WTA Insider - Twitter)
Italy’s Jasmine Paolini faces Spanish qualifier Rebeka Masarova in the round of 32 of the 2023 Lyon Open on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old began the season by playing in the Adelaide International 1. She lost in the first round of qualifying to Anna Bondar after winning the first set. In Hobart International, Paolini managed to defeat Patricia Maria Tig in the round of 32 but lost in the following round to compatriot Elisabetta Cocciaretto in a one-sided contest.
At the Australian Open, Paolini crashed out in the first round following a loss to 18th seed Liudmila Samsonova 6-2, 6-4. Paolini took part in the doubles event as well. She teamed up with fellow Italian Martina Trevisan. They lost to Alycia Parks and Oksana Kalashnikova in the first round.
The Spanish youngster has got off to a flying start in 2023. She progressed from the qualifiers of the ASB Classic and made it to the final. Her dream run was ended by top seed Coco Gauff but she received a lot of praise for her performance throughout the tournament.
After losing to Lucrezia Stefanini in the second round of qualifying, Masarova came into the Lyon Open and managed to make it to the main draw. In the qualifiers, she defeated Amandine Hesse in straight sets and Kaja Juvan in a three-set thriller.
Rebeka Masarova and Jasmine Paolini have faced each other only once before. The match took place last year in an ITF event in Spain. Paolini emerged victorious in three sets.
Prediction: Jasmine Paolini to win in three sets.
More Tennis news
Follow our dedicated Tennis page for instant Tennis news and updates