Jasmine Paolini beat 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-4 in on 1 hour and 37 minutes at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
Fernandez earned an early break at love in the first game of the opening set. Paolini broke straight back in the second game, but Fernandez broke again at love in the third game and held her first service game to take a 3-1 lead. Paolini pulled back on serve in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3 before saving four break points to go up 4-3. The Italian player converted her third break point in the eighth game with a forehand passing shot and served out the first set with a hold at love.
Fernandez won 12 of the first 15 points and broke serve in the second game to race out to a 3-0 lead in the second set. The Canadian player earned a double break point in the sixth game, but Paolini saved it to hold serve after two deuces. Paolini won five consecutive games from 1-4 down with two breaks of serve to seal the second set 6-4 on her second match point.
Paolini set up a Round of 16 match against Maria Sakkari, who beat Emma Navarro 6-2 6-4. The Italian player, who reached the fourth round at this year’s Australian Open, has won consecutive matches against former Grand Slam finalists (Angelique Keber at the United Cup and and Fernandez in Dubai).
