Jasmine Paolini’s bid to defend her Italian Open title ended dramatically as Elise Mertens of Belgium saved three match points to secure a hard-fought victory. In another significant result, former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko overcame Zheng Qinwen after three previous defeats. Paolini, seeded ninth, seemed poised for victory but Mertens staged a remarkable comeback.
Mertens, with a history of success against Paolini, clinched the win after a grueling match lasting over two and a half hours. This loss dashed Paolini’s hopes of defending her title in front of home fans. The match highlighted the unpredictable nature of the tournament, with several players making comebacks from match point down.
Ostapenko also displayed resilience, securing a spot in the Round of 16 for the fourth consecutive year. Despite a slow start, she rallied to defeat Zheng with aggressive play. The Latvian’s victory marked her first win over Zheng on clay and showcased her power hitting and improved consistency.
No. 13 seed Linda Noskova advanced to the fourth round with a straight-sets victory over Oleksandra Oliynykova. Mertens will face either Mirra Andreeva or Viktorija Golubic in the Round of 16, setting the stage for further exciting matchups in Rome.
