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Olympic Games: Paolini surprised by Slovakian Schmiedlova
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Olympic Games: Paolini surprised by Slovakian Schmiedlova

It won’t be the third consecutive major final for Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. After reaching both the French Open and Wimbledon finals in seven weeks, the fourth-seeded Paolini was knocked out of the women’s singles event at the Paris Olympics by Slovakia’s Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova on Tuesday.

In the first set, it was Paolini who built up the initial lead, leading 5-2, before her opponent fought back and won five games in a row to take the set 7-5. The Italian took the lead in the second set as well, leading 5-1. A small comeback from Schmiedlova followed before Paolini was able to hold her serve and win the set 6-3, sending the match into a deciding set.

Paolini went up three breaks in the final set to lead 1-0, 2-1 and 5-4. But each time the Italian was broken back. Schmiedlova, ranked 67th in the world, got a crucial break in the 11th game and held on to secure a 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 victory in just over two and a half hours.

In the quarterfinals, the 29-year-old will face Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova, who defeated Ukrainian Elina Svitolina 7-6, 2-6, 6-4 in another third round match on Tuesday.

Paolini, who is still in the women’s doubles with Sara Errani, was disappointed with the result. In a message on X she said: “Tough match today. I gave everything. I feel disappointed, but every setback is a lesson. Thanks for the support.”