Jasmine Paolini Survives Intense Battle at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, California — Jasmine Paolini faced a grueling match against Romania’s Jaqueline Cristian on March 11, 2025, but ultimately emerged victorious. The No. 1 Italian tennis player struggled with an unusually high error count, tallying nearly 50 mistakes, yet managed to secure her spot in the tournament’s round of 16.

The first set suggested a straightforward win for Paolini, who took it 6-4 without serious difficulties. However, the second set saw a dramatic shift as Cristian showcased her skills, capitalizing on Paolini’s mistakes to claim the set 6-3.

During the deciding third set, the two competitors engaged in a tense battle, marked by alternating peaks of outstanding tennis and moments of distress from Paolini. The match turned pivotal at a score of 3-1 in favor of Cristian. In a display of resilience, Paolini rallied to win three consecutive games, reversing the momentum to lead 4-3.

With tensions running high, the next game lasted an astonishing 18 minutes, with both players fighting fiercely to break serve—a testament to their competitive spirit. After trading points and breaking serve multiple times during this lengthy exchange, Paolini finally prevailed in the game for a 5-4 lead.

Facing pressure in the crucial tenth game, Cristian struggled to maintain her composure after coming close to victory. Paolini, capitalizing on this tension, seized the opportunity and broke Cristian’s serve, clinching the set 6-4.

Despite her victory, Paolini acknowledged the need to address her high error rate as she moves forward in the tournament. “I have to improve my game if I want to continue in this competition,” she stated in a post-match interview. “It’s always about focusing on my strengths and learning from these moments.”

Next up for Paolini is a challenging match in the round of 16, where she will face another tough competitor. The Italian hopes to build on her performance and refine her skills as she strives for a deeper run at Indian Wells.