Italian Paolini breaks new ground with run to Wimbledon fourth round

LONDON :Jasmine Paolini continued to carry the flag for Italian tennis on the women's side as the seventh seed downed former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-6(4) 6-1 at Wimbledon on Friday to make the fourth round for the first time.

The diminutive French Open runner-up, who also reached the last 16 at the Australian Open this season, became the first woman from her nation to make the second week at each of the first three Grand Slams in a single year.

"It's strange. When I was watching the (Italian) girls that were winning slams, making finals, I felt like they were so far from me, you know? It's something I'm proud of, but it sounds strange a little bit," Paolini told reporters.

"Flavia Pennetta, Francesca Schiavone, Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, I think. They played an amazing level for many years. It's great to have this achievement.

"I'm trying to live my own journey. It's something I'm proud of, but for myself, not comparing to the past, the others."

While Italian men's number one Jannik Sinner has hogged much of the limelight with his maiden Grand Slam triumph at Melbourne this year, Paolini has won hearts with a mixture of fierce competitiveness and joviality on the court.

Having already beaten 2019 U.S. Open winner Andreescu in the Roland Garros third round last month, where the Canadian returned from nine-month injury layoff, Paolini delighted Court One fans and said she was enjoying being a crowd favourite.

"It was really nice to play out here in front of you guys, You are so many. It's a dream to play in this kind of stadium. I think I played a good match. I hope you enjoyed," Paolini said on court earlier.

Paolini, who made the Eastbourne semi-finals to highlight her grasscourt prowess ahead of Wimbledon,