Musa
Jasmine Paolini is making the Eternal City her personal playground this week, and she’s showing zero signs of slowing down. The Italian dynamo dazzled once again in Rome, this time dismantling the dangerous Diana Shnaider in a high-octane quarter-final clash that had the crowd roaring and the clay flying.
Coming into the tournament, Paolini was already riding a red-hot clay court streak—fueled by grit, forehand firepower, and an uncanny ability to chase down just about everything. And against Shnaider, who’s known for her fearless, hit-first-ask-questions-later approach, Paolini delivered a masterclass in composure and creativity. The first set was a tightrope walk, full of breaks, fist pumps, and footwork that would make a ballerina blush. But once Paolini found her groove (and the rhythm of the Rome crowd), she shifted into overdrive, taking control of rallies and forcing Shnaider to hit one more ball… and then another… and then a few more for good measure.
The 2025 clay swing has turned Paolini into a true contender, and if this form holds, there’s no telling how deep she can go—not just in Rome, but in Paris, too. Italian tennis fans, take a bow. You’ve got a hometown heroine putting on a show, and she’s not done yet. The semi-finals are calling, and Jasmine Paolini is answering with a smile, a fist pump, and a whole lot of clay on her shoes.
Musa
Olaniyi Ayoola
Ade