BSS
  26 May 2025, 08:18

Fourth seed Paolini survives French Open first-round scare

PARIS, May 26, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Last year's runner-up Jasmine Paolini held off a comeback from China's Yuan Yue to reach the French Open second round on Sunday.

The fourth seed, winner of the Italian Open on home soil last week, battled to a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win on Court Suzanne Lenglen to set up a tie with either Australian teenager Maya Joint or her compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic.

Paolini, who also reached the Wimbledon final in 2024, raced through the first set before world number 89 Yuan fought back to force a decider.

An upset appeared to be on the cards when Yuan secured a break to lead 3-2 in the third set, but Paolini immediately broke back and ultimately eased to victory with four straight games.