
Aryna Sabalenka thanks Billie Jean King after Australian Open win
It's Sabalenka's first title.
Jasmine Paolini is continuing the string of first-time winners in the WTA.
The 25-year-old Italian tennis player reached her maiden WTA final on Sunday, where she defeated No. 3 seed Alison Riske to win the Zavarovalnica Sava Portoroz.
✨ 𝓕𝓲𝓻𝓼𝓽 career WTA title ✨
— wta (@WTA) September 20, 2021
Jasmine Paolini fights back to take the title in Portoroz! 🏆#WTAPortoroz pic.twitter.com/lgLfhPvivq
En route to her maiden title, the world No. 87 knocked off four seeded opponents, No. 6 Daya Yastremksa, No. 4 Sorana Cirstea and No. 2 Yulia Putintseva.
“It means a lot,” Paolini said following her victory against Putintseva. “I’m playing good, so I’m very happy. It wasn’t an easy match today, so I’m double-happy about the win!”
Prior to this tournament, Paolini hadn’t advanced past the quarterfinals at Tour level. On Sunday, she took down Riske in straight-sets, 7-6(4), 6-2.
“I think it’s been an amazing week here in Portoroz,” Paolini said following the win. “I feel just very happy, it’s a big achievement for me, to win my first title. On hardcourts, it’s special.
“It wasn’t easy to go through to the final. I’m proud of myself because I never gave up.”
It's Sabalenka's first title.
Instead, she'll set her sights on the doubles bracket.
Pegula is the last American woman standing.
Both lost in straight sets.
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