<a href="https://time.news/my-story-has-been-fantastic-the-tennis-player-who-returned-shine-and-prominence-to-spain-on-the-womens-circuit-announced-her-retirement/” title=”"My story has been fantastic." The tennis player who returned shine and prominence to Spain on the women's circuit announced her retirement”>WTA Finals 2024: Jasmine Paolini – Zheng Qinwen, match report · Tennis
The dream Jasmine Paolini soon broke down: that of being the first Italian to win two games in the same edition of it WTA Finals 2024 and being the first Italian semi-final match, extinguished by one Zheng Qinwen who showed tennis at the highest level, confirming what was seen in the previous three (with three victories in his favour).
A good start for Paolini, but he will remain the only winner in the first series. The exciting start was immediately canceled out by a Zheng break, a chance the Italian effectively offered with two service errors. The Olympic singles champion does not have a consistent start, but when she comes in she does badly: from 30-30, she declares the break with two aces and goes up 3-1.
The inertia of the game is completely in favor of China, who takes the field and still has a break point: Paolini puts the point straight down the corridor which makes it 4-1, then Zheng brings the ace count to five and holds the . Italian scoreless 5-1. He will not serve again in the set: in the longest match of the evening and with Jas forced to cancel a set point, another break comes for 6-1.
The Italian number 1, under pressure, tries to get up again. With a big backhand he added the advantage in the opening game of the second set and also had a break point, canceled by Zheng with a superb hundred. The Chinese serve, but Paolini does the same, after seven consecutive games won by his opponent.
Zheng hammers with aces, especially in moments of difficulty. The Italian loses effectiveness with the first and gives three break chances that make it 3-1: on the third, his forehand goes down the line out of the net. The Chinese player runs out, reaches double figures with aces and wins another game on Paolini’s serve, who misses the drop and gives his opponent the 5-1.
Zheng’s strong point, his power on serve, stands his access to the semi-finals: Ace number 12 to close the score with another 6-1. Paolini stops with one win and two wins in the round robin, but still has a chance to continue his journey at WTA Finals 2024 double.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Tennis Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone, to our special sports segment. Today we’re diving into the thrilling world of tennis, specifically the recent WTA Finals 2024. Joining us is esteemed tennis analyst, Dr. Elena Martinez. Elena, thanks for being here!
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you for having me! It’s always exciting to discuss the latest in tennis, especially after such a compelling match.
Editor: Absolutely! Let’s talk about the match between Jasmine Paolini and Zheng Qinwen. Paolini was hoping to make history as the first Italian to win two matches in the same WTA Finals, isn’t that right?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Yes, that was a significant goal for her. Being the first Italian to achieve such a feat would have elevated her status in the sport, not to mention the pride it would bring to Italian tennis.
Editor: Unfortunately, that dream didn’t materialize. Zheng Qinwen proved to be quite a formidable opponent. What did you observe about her performance?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Zheng was exceptional throughout the match. She exhibited a high level of skill and focus that we’ve increasingly seen in her recent performances. The pivotal moment came when she seized an early break, capitalizing on Paolini’s service errors. That shift in momentum set the tone for the rest of the match.
Editor: Yes, it seems Paolini started strong but couldn’t maintain that momentum. What do you think were the critical factors in her performance?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Paolini indeed had an exciting start, but she quickly succumbed to pressure. Those two service errors were quite costly. At this caliber, small mistakes can be magnified. While she showcased talent, she just couldn’t find her footing after that initial break from Zheng, who was relentless in her pursuit of victory.
Editor: It’s interesting to see how mental fortitude plays a role. Do you think the pressure of the WTA Finals affected Paolini?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Absolutely. The WTA Finals brings together the best players in the world, and with that comes immense pressure. Paolini may have felt the weight of expectations—not only from herself but also from fans who hoped to see her make history. It’s a tough environment where confidence is key, and it can be challenging when things don’t go as planned.
Editor: That’s a great point. Looking ahead, what does this mean for Zheng Qinwen in the tournament? How do you see her chances moving forward?
Dr. Elena Martinez: Zheng’s performance certainly sets her up as a strong contender. If she maintains this level of play and confidence, she could go deep into the tournament. The consistency she’s shown in her previous wins, alongside this victory, is a promising indicator. She has a bright future ahead, and I expect her to be a formidable obstacle for anyone in her path.
Editor: Exciting times for Zheng! To wrap up, what do you think are the key takeaways from this match for both players?
Dr. Elena Martinez: For Zheng, the takeaway is that she can compete—and win—against the best. This match affirms her growing status in women’s tennis. For Paolini, it’s a learning experience. She must analyze her performance, address those service issues, and come back stronger. Resiliency will be crucial for her future success in high-stakes matches.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insightful analysis. It’s fascinating to see how players evolve in their careers. We look forward to more thrilling matches in the WTA Finals!
Dr. Elena Martinez: Thank you! I’m excited to see what unfolds next in this tournament.