Speaking of an impressive winners-to-errors ratio, Paolini racing through the first set against Rybakina thanks to eight winners and just a single unforced error.
A win for the rising Italian would have been less of a shock, given her impressive 2024 season; she reached the fourth round at Melbourne Park then hoisted the WTA 1000 trophy in Dubai, a result catapulting her into the top 15.
READ MORE: Jasmine Paolini’s journey at AO 2024
But she remained the underdog against fourth-ranked Rybakina, a winner of three titles and 34 matches so far this season, and the only player to defeat Swiatek on clay in 2024.
Harnessing her power, Rybakina wrenched the second set from Paolini despite twice going down a break, and nudged ahead 4-3 in the third.
Here, Paolini made her move, winning 12 of the last 15 points as Rybakina sent a backhand long – her 48th unforced error of the match.
“Today was the perfect day, I think, singles and doubles,” said Paolini, also into the women’s doubles semifinals with countrywoman Sara Errani.
“I think I started to play better with more consistency last year… match by match I felt more convinced that I can play at the higher level. But it was a process. Is not like I switch something.
FEMALE NEW WAVE: Jasmine Paolini
“I step on court and I say to myself that I have a chance to win the match. (Previously) when I was playing against the top players, I was, like, okay, I need a miracle to win this match. So I was already losing the match before even playing.”
And so, instead of an Australian Open 2023 final rematch between Sabalenka and Rybakina, we have an intriguing duel set between Paolini and Andreeva.
It has already been a breakout tournament for both.
And for one of them, it does not stop here.