Jasmine Paolini turned a second set that appeared lost into a straight-sets victory over Anhelina Kalinina on Tuesday, 20 October. The Italian won 6–2, 7–5 to reach the second round of the Ningbo WTA 500, played on hard courts.
Seven games change the outcome
Paolini controlled the opening set 6–2, but Kalinina, who entered the main draw as a lucky loser, moved ahead 5–0 in the second. That lead was not enough: Paolini won the next seven games, closed the set 7–5 and avoided being taken to a decider.
The sequence defined the match. Kalinina went from being close to levelling the contest to elimination without winning another game, while Paolini sustained her pressure until the comeback was complete. The official WTA highlights show the shift in control during the second set.
Jovic awaits in the second round
Paolini will next face fourth seed Iva Jovic, who advanced with a bye. The official tournament guide schedules the second round for 21 and 22 October, with the event ending on Sunday, 25 October.
Ningbo has a 28-player singles draw and offers up to 500 ranking points to the champion. For Paolini, the opening round ends with an unusual recovery inside two sets and a place among the final 16 players.
