Flattening out her strokes, Paolini powered back into contention, breaking the world No.70 when serving for the opener at 5-2, but Avanesyan kept up the pace and depth, teasing the errors from the No.12 seed’s racquet.
The Italian, doubles champion alongside compatriot Sara Errani in Rome last month and usually so consistent, was hampered by 23 unforced errors in the first set.
It was time for her to show her ranking superiority. A courageous mid-court forehand drive volley was the highlight as the 28-year-old stole a 2-0 lead from the seventh break point of the game. Paolini kept pressing and in 35 minutes had assembled the near-perfect set.
An error-strewn first game in the decider gave Avanesyan hope, but Paolini never let her get back in.
The Italian’s season to remember adds another chapter.