"Try to reduce the mistakes with a player like her" - Jasmine Paolini on gameplan when facing Elena Rybakina at WTA Finals

Italian tennis superstar Jasmine Paolini revealed part of her strategy to take down Elena Rybakina, the the duo clash at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday.

Paolini secured qualification for the year-ending event, following her breakout season on the WTA Tour. The 28-year old will be making her debut at the elite event, and has earned her spot following some strong performances during the season.

The World No.4 was one of the biggest surprise of the 2024 season, winning her maiden WTA 1000 title in Dubai in February. Subsequently, Paolini maintained her red-hot form, finishing runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. These performances saw her garner enough points to finish the year inside the Top 5, allowing her to qualify for the WTA Finals.

Paolini will be drawn in the same group as Aryna Sabalenka, Qinwen Zheng and Elene Rybakina. Taking on the Kazakh star in her first round-robin match, Paolini broke down her playbook on how she will tackle the big-hitting former Wimbledon champion.

"The challenge is going to be to return to her serve here, as always (laugher)," said Paolini. "Here especially. I don't really know what to expect. I think it's going to be a tough match, of course. I have to play deep, trying to serve well because I think she's going to play aggressive, of course. She's a big server.
"I think the most important thing is to try to return as much as possible and as deep as possible, trying to be fast on court as well. Trying to reduce the mistakes with a player like Elena. We trying tomorrow (smiling).”