Paolini, seeded No.4, was beaten in three sets 2-6, 6-4, 6-0 by the Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, 27th in the world and seeded No.28. The match lasted 1 hour and 47 minutes at the Margaret Court Arena.
The Italian, 29, achieved her best result in Melbourne in 2024 with an elimination in the round of 16. The finalist at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in 2024 had been exited in the first round during these four previous participations.