It was the Italian’s seventh attempt at defeating the former world No. 1, who had come out on top on all six previous occasions, dropping just one set in the process.
But this time was different, as Paolini impressively overcame Swiatek 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour to advance to the semi-finals, where she will take on Coco Gauff.
“Finally I won a match,” the 2024 Roland-Garros and Wimbledon finalist said after her victory at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre.
“I’m super happy about my level. Just feels amazing.”
Paolini was ruthless in her approach against Swiatek and was credited with only three unforced errors, while winning all six break points.
She raced 4-0 ahead with a double break before Swiatek was able to hold serve for the first time in the match, and it was clear that the 24-year-old was already well under the cosh.
Paolini wrapped up a flawless first set in 26 minutes with her third break, having recorded seven winners.
Swiatek managed to break Paolini back in the second set for 2-1 – with the Italian having gone 2-0 up – but the second set was just as dominant as the first, as the No. 7 seed struck another eight winners on her way to victory.
Next, she will take on French Open champion Gauff in the semi-final, after the American convincingly defeated Laura Siegemund 6-3 6-0 in the last eight.
Paolini has a favourable record against the third seed. After losing her first two matches against Gauff in 2021 and 2023, she claimed victory in the next three meetings, which all came during the current season.
Gauff is the next hurdle for Paolini, and one of the two could face top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
The US Open champion comfortably beat Elena Rybakina to reach the last four, winning 6-3 6-3 to set up a meeting with No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula.
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