SYDNEY - A red-hot Jasmine Paolini led Italy into the quarter-finals of tennis' mixed-team United Cup on Dec 31, with the world No. 4 in sizzling form.
The 28-year-old demolished France's Chloe Paquet, who broke into the top 100 for the first time in 2024, 6-0, 6-2 at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
It followed her 6-1, 6-1 thrashing of Belinda Bencic in her season-opening match to fire a warning shot heading into the Australian Open.
Paolini had a memorable 2024, finishing runner-up at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and winning her second career title in Dubai.
She also triumphed with Italy in doubles at the Paris Olympics and helped her country to Billie Jean King Cup glory.
"I played a really solid match. I was happy with my performance and focused all the time," she said.
"Everything worked pretty well. Not too many mistakes and my level was high."
Paolini won the first seven games before Paquet got on the scoreboard. But it was a minor blip, with the Italian quickly taking charge again with a flurry of winning volleys to claim victory.
Her teammate Flavio Cobolli put Italy 1-0 ahead with a battling 3-6, 7-6 (10-8), 6-2 upset of French world No. 14 Ugo Humbert.
It was the second consecutive win of the season for the 22-year-old, who has been steadily climbing the rankings in recent years to his current world No. 32.
"It was a great battle to start the season, so I'm really happy about the match," said Cobolli, who saved a match point in the second set.
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