French Open 2024: Elena Rybakina vs Jasmine Paolini; Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction

Elena Rybakina has now reached her 9th WTA-level quarterfinal in 2024, the most by a woman this year. She has looked absolutely unstoppable in this tournament. Rybakina hasn’t yet dropped a set in Paris. Next, she will be facing Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in the QF of the 2024 French Open. The 28-year-old Italian has reached the QF of a major tournament for the very first time in her career. Can Paolini perform the mammoth task of defeating the world number four in this nail-biting contest?

The 2024 season has been one of the best seasons for Paolini so far. She has already clinched a title this year and has also reached the QF in Stuttgart. On the other hand, Elena Rybakina has been one of the most consistent performers in this season. She has won three titles and apart from that she has reached two finals, one SF and one QF this season. Both players will now be eyeing to go through to the last four in Paris for the first time in their careers.

Elena Rybakina vs Jasmine Paolini: Preview

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina could only withstand for 69 minutes against Elena Rybakina in the fourth-round match. The Kazakhstani tennis star defeated her by 6-4,6-3 at the Philippe-Chatrier. Rybakina hit five aces in that match and committed just a single double fault. She won 74% of her first serve and 55% of her second serve in that match. Elena Rybakina successfully converted five of her seven breakpoints against Svitolina.

Rybakina can hit aces with ease and she has fired almost 229 aces this season but has committed just 76 double faults. She has won 80.9% of her service games and 35.5% of her return games this year. Can her dominating performance in this tournament give her an edge over the mighty challenger from Italy?

Jasmine Paolini surely has the potential to disrupt any equations in this match. She made a comeback from a set down to snatch the victory against Russia’s Elina Avanesyan by 4-6,6-0,6-1 in the fourth round. However, Paolini failed to hit even a single ace in that match but committed three double faults. She won 58% of her first serve and 50% of her second serve in that match. The Italian converted just eight of her seventeen breakpoints against the Russian.

Speaking of her resilience to pull off such an incredible comeback and reflecting a bit on her heart on the court, the 5’4” Paolini said, “It (heart) has to be big as I’m so small. I try to fight for every point, to give my 100 percent.” She needs to give her 200 percent in order to stand a chance against Rybakina in the next match. Jasmine Paolini has had a decent season so far. She has recorded 34 aces and committed 38 double faults so far this season. Paolini has won 67.2% of her service games and just 40.4% of her return games.

Rybakina vs Paolini: Head-to-Head

Elena Rybakina has faced Jasmine Paolini three times in her career. Currently, she’s leading the H2H by a 2-1 scoreline. Their first meeting was at the 2023 Italian Open and in that match, Rybakina defeated Paolini by 7-6,6-1. Paolini’s only win in this epic rivalry came courtesy of Elena Rybakina’s walkover after playing nearly two sets at the 2023 Cincinnati Masters.

However, in the third meeting at the 2024 Stuttgart Open, it took three sets to decide the winner. Rybakina defeated Paolini by 6-3,5-7,6-3 and in that match, she hit seven aces and committed just two double faults. While Jasmine Paolini failed to hit any aces in that match but committed one double fault. The Italian won 63% of her first serve and 41% of her second serve.

Elena Rybakina won 65% of her first serve and 62% of her second serve in that match. However, she could manage to convert just six of her fifteen breakpoints in that match but it was 4/7 for Paolini. Are we going to see yet another three-set thriller in this epic rivalry in Paris?

Prediction: Rybakina to win in three sets

Stopping Elena Rybakina is such a do-or-die game in a mega stage won’t be easy! Currently, she has a win-loss record of 30-6 this season, while it’s just 16-10 for the Italian. Paolini (15) not only has a big difference with the heights but she is also eleven spots behind Rybakina in the rankings. However, her explosive playing style backed with her agility on the courts may come in handy on this surface. She is a good mover on clay compared to her Kazakhstani opponent.

Elena Rybakina on the other hand, is an aggressive baseliner with a powerful serving ability in her armory. She can generate effortless power in both her groundstrokes and her serves. Even her forehand and backhand shots are equally powerful. Can her power-packed playing style prove to be too lethal for Jasmine Paolini?

Well, don’t be surprised if the Italian gives a tough fight in this contest, but when it comes to the winner of this game, the 6ft Elena Ryabkina looks to have the upper hand at the moment.