Jasmine Paolini moved into the Ningbo quarterfinals with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Veronika Kudermetova, tightening her grip on a place at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The No. 2 seed could secure qualification with one more victory if other results break her way; otherwise, she needs to reach the final this week to qualify outright. If No. 3 seed Elena Rybakina exits before the semifinals, a semifinal berth in Ningbo would be enough for Paolini.
Upcoming Challenge Against Belinda Bencic
Next up is No. 6 seed Belinda Bencic in Friday’s quarterfinals. Bencic holds a 2-1 edge in their head-to-head, making this match particularly significant for Paolini as she aims to continue her strong performance. Paolini’s steadiness made the difference against Kudermetova, as she won 75% of her first-serve points and finished with 14 winners against 17 unforced errors. In contrast, Kudermetova struck 22 winners but was hampered by 38 unforced errors and a 55% first-serve rate. Notably, Kudermetova broke first in both sets—opening the match with a break and surging again in the second set’s fifth game—but surrendered the lead each time due to a run of mistakes, including a double fault on the first match point.
The result lifts Paolini’s record against Kudermetova to 4-2 overall and 2-0 this season, adding to her previous win in the Cincinnati semifinals. Paolini stated that she is keeping qualification scenarios out of mind and focusing on her tennis and the next match. This focus could prove crucial as she prepares to face Bencic, who is known for her competitive edge and skill on the court.
As the tournament progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Paolini can maintain her momentum and achieve her goal of qualifying for the WTA Finals. With her current form and determination, she is certainly a player to watch in the upcoming stages of the tournament.