Jasmine Paolini (WTA 4), finalist of Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in 2024, qualified for the 2nd round of the Australian Open by dominating 6-0 6-4 the Chinese Wei Sijia (117), from the qualifications.
The 29-year-old Italian, who reached the round of 16 in Melbourne last year, faced the 21-year-old Chinese for the first time. She is the last player in the top-5 to qualify for the next round, where she will face the American Taylor Townsend (85) or the Mexican Renata Zarazua (70).
The other favorites assure
After the quick victory of Coco Gauff (3) against Sofia Kenin (74), another much closer American derby pitted Emma Navarro (8) against her compatriot Peyton Stearns (46). The better ranked of the two finally won 6-7 (5/7) 7-6 (7/5) 7-5.
The qualification of Elena Rybakina (7th) against the young Australian Emerson Jones (16) was much more convincing. The Kazakh won 6-1 6-1 and spent less than an hour on court.
afp/btro
Swiss
