Jasmine Paolini was left struggling to compute her “impossible” achievement of reaching a maiden Grand Slam final at the French Open.
“It’s a great feeling to be in a Grand Slam final,” said the Italian. “It seems something impossible, you know, but it’s true.”
But she faces an altogether different challenge when she faces two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Iga Swiatek for the trophy on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
“Iga is unbelievable player,” Paolini added. “So young, but so many achievements and Grand Slams.”
It has been a sensational week for Italian tennis, with Jannik Sinner rising to world No. 1 for the first time following his quarter-final victory over Grigor Dimitrov in the men’s singles.
The Australian Open champion faces Carlos Alcaraz in a mouthwatering semi-final on Friday, and Paolini was delighted to see her compatriot thriving.
“It’s unbelievable to see Jannik when he was 15 years old say that his dream was to be No. 1,” Paolini said.
“For me it’s something different. I never dreamed to be in a Grand Slam final, and I’m here. I’m so happy.”