Jasmine Paolini beat Anna Kalinskaya 6-3 3-6 6-4 to reach the Round of 16 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Paolini beat Kalinskaya for the second time in one month a few weeks after the win over her Russian opponent at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last February.
Both players traded breaks in the second and third games of the first set. Paolini broke for the second time in the eighth game and won her third consecutive game with a hold of serve to close out the first set 6-3.
Paolini did not convert a total of three break point on Kalinskaya’s first service games. Kalinskaya broke serve in the eighth game to seal the second set 6-3.
Kalinskaya broke again in the fifth game to take a 3-2 lead. Paolini broke back in the sixth game to draw level to 3-3. Paolini had a chance to serve for the match but he did not convert a break point at 4-3. The Italian player broke serve on her third match point to set up a Round of 16 against Anastasia Potapova, who cruised past Nadia Podoroska 6-1 6-1. “Every week is very difficult and it must be taken into account. Every tournament is played on a different surface, in different countries and different jet-lags. It’s a very difficult sport. Few players manage to be remain consistent evert week. I try to adapt to evert conditions and give my best in every single match. The match against Kalinskaya was a bit different compared to Dubai. I played well in the first set. I had some break point chances on her first service games of the second set, which I could have converted. We both raised our level. At the end of the match we made more winners and less unforced errors. It was a hard-fought match, but I am happy that at the end I was able to bring home the win”, said Paolini.
