Jasmine Paolini powers past Bianca Andreescu, first into second week of 2024 Wimbledon

The first player into the second week of Wimbledon? Jasmine Paolini who saw off Bianca Andreescu on Friday afternoon under the roof on Court No.1 as the Italian again rose to the occasion to defeat the returning Canadian.

Paolini claimed victory in just over an hour and a half against Andreescu who she also defeated last month at Roland Garros. It was a 7-6(3), 6-1 win for the Italian seventh seed who moves into the Last 16 of Wimbledon for the first time in her career.

In the best year of her career yet and with continued constant progression, Paolini ticks another box and has emerged as a real all rounder. She excelled in Dubai sealing her biggest title on outdoor hard and also reached the final of Roland Garros on clay last month. Now add Wimbledon as the next notch on her belt. This after she reached the final of Eastbourne International in the week prior to Wimbledon.

There she lost to Daria Kasatkina in the final after she was in the ascendancy throughout the tie. Next up in what is a fairly open section of the draw is a tough test compared to the rest but one that will open it up for whoever comes through. She will play the victor of Marta Kostyuk and Madison Keys who face off this afternoon. In the section that was previously inhabited by Aryna Sabalenka, it will likely be Paolini that rises again at a second consecutive Grand Slam.

The first set saw both break to begin the tie and it went all the way to a tie-break and one in which Andreescu never had the chance to win. Paolini kept her at arms length throughout sealing it 7-4. She excelled again from there breezing through the second set 6-1. It was six straight from Paolini after going 1-0 down to start off with. A force to be reckoned with on all surfaces it seems.

For Andreescu, her run comes to an end. She has been a breath of fresh air since returning to the tour and will hope to take her injury free form into Olympic Games followed by a return home to Canada and the US Open next month. Certainly a lot of moments to relish going forward despite equalling her best only here at Wimbledon.