Paolini's perfect day in Paris helped by experienced partner

Jasmine Paolini's day at Roland Garros could not have gone any better, with the Italian reaching the French Open semi-finals in both singles and doubles on Wednesday and she said her experienced playing partner is a major part of that success.

Paolini's day began with a surprise win for the 12th seed over fourth seed Elena Rybakina, to reach her first Grand Slam semi, and she followed that up with a quarter-final doubles victory.

"Yeah, today was the perfect day, I think, singles and doubles," Paolini told reporters.

"The singles was a really tough match. I'm happy I managed to come back in the third set, because, you know, was tough after the second set.

"But, yeah, I'm really happy with my performance, and I'm also happy for the doubles, of course."

After her 6-2 4-6 6-4 win over Rybakina, Paolini took to the court alongside fellow-Italian Sara Errani, and the pair defeated American Emma Navarro and Russian Diana Shnaider 6-3 6-3.

Paolini had never before gone past the fourth round at a Grand Slam in either singles or doubles, but 37-year-old Errani has been a finalist at Roland Garros in singles, and has won five Grand Slams in doubles.

The experienced Errani has been sitting with Paolini's team watching her on court, but for the 28-year-old, her playing partner provides much more than just support from the sidelines.

"I think she's helping me so much, you know, to play doubles with her, I can talk about tennis with her, I can ask her strategies," Paolini said.

"But also, some advice, how to step on court, what can I do today to play better. You know, it's somebody that I think can help me so much. She already did a Grand Slam final, so she already has been in this position.

"So I think she's just someone that can help me in