"There is a big goal": Jasmine Paolini targets WTA Finals spot

Italy’s tennis star Jasmine Paolini has revealed her objective of playing in the WTA Finals this year. The last mega event in the women’s tennis calendar in the singles category will be held in the city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time in November, later this year.

Paolini is currently participating in the China Open, where she has booked her place in the round of 32 after beating Denmark’s Clara Tauson with a score of 1-6, 7-5, 6-4. Talking after the contest, the current world number five highlighted that she is looking for one final push to achieve her objective, which is to play in the WTA Finals later this year.

“We are trying to keep focused, to be in the present,” she said. “It’s tough because it’s the end of the season. I’ve played many matches, but it’s good that I’ve played many matches actually. We are trying to keep practicing well, to keep being motivated. There is a big goal I had: We have to qualify for the WTA Finals. So we have to push on the accelerator. I played a really good season so it would be great to be part of the WTA Finals for the first time. It’s a real exclusive club. If I am able to play there it’s going to be really exciting and fun.”

Paolini is going through a brilliant season where she has played in the final of two out of four Grand Slams. She first played in the final of the French Open, where she lost to Poland’s Iga Swiatek in straight sets with a score of 6-2, 6-1. She then played in the final of Wimbledon, where once again she came out on the losing side against the Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova with a score of 6–2, 2–6, 6–4. Paolini is set to face Poland’s Magda Linette in the round of 32 clash on Sunday.