In a historic upset at the Miami Masters 1000 tournament, Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian woman to reach the semifinals, defeating Poland's Magda Linette 6-3, 6-2. The quarterfinal match, held on March 25, 2025, showcased Paolini's remarkable performance and determination on the court.
The 29-year-old, who was seeded sixth in the tournament and is currently ranked seventh in the world, faced Linette, ranked 34th, who had previously eliminated American star Coco Gauff, the world's third-ranked player, in the earlier rounds. The matchup took place in the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins, amid high expectations and excitement.
Paolini's journey to the quarterfinals included wins against Rebecca Sramkova and Ons Jabeur, the latter by retirement. In a nail-biting contest against former champion Naomi Osaka, Paolini recovered from a set down to win in three sets. Linette, meanwhile, had marched into the quarterfinals without dropping a set, besting players such as Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Ekaterina Alexandrova, and Linda Fruhvirtova.
The historical significance of Paolini's victory cannot be understated. She is now the first Italian to make it to the semifinals in Miami, following in the footsteps of previous Italian players like Reggi, Farina Elia, Garbin, Errani, Vinci, and Trevisan, all of whom also reached the quarterfinals but failed to progress further. Paolini expressed her joy in the aftermath of her victory, saying, “I’m very happy with this win. The last time I faced Linette, I lost badly. She plays very well and hits hard, so I’m incredibly satisfied with how I managed the match.”
The match began with a slight delay due to rain, building anticipation among fans eager to see the two talented players compete. After waiting several hours, Paolini took the court with fierce determination, delivering a commanding performance against Linette. She dominated the match, ultimately finishing in just over one hour and fifteen minutes, showcasing her skills and solidifying her position as a top contender in women’s tennis.
With this victory, Paolini will advance to face the winner of the other semifinal between Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng. As the Miami Open continues, eyes will be on Paolini as she inches closer to capturing a prestigious title amid a total prize pool of $8,963,700.
This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for Paolini's career but also serves as an inspiration for young athletes back in Italy. Fans are undoubtedly excited to support her as she aims to become a champion at this high-profile event, buoyed by the cheers of many who are eager to see history made.
