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Jasmine Paolini Returns to Dubai Tennis Championships

2026-06-23 · Jasmine Paolini · Player Focus

Jasmine Paolini Returns to Dubai Tennis Championships

Jasmine Paolini returns to the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she'll open against Alexandra Eala on Tuesday.

What's at stake for Jasmine Paolini?

The Italian athlete has struggled to find rhythm early in the season, exiting in the third round of the Australian Open and then falling in her opening match at the Qatar Open. She'll be hoping to find some of that form again when she takes on Eala.

Why does Dubai feel weird for Jasmine Paolini?

Paolini finds it strange how close fans are during matches, making it hard for her to settle into a rhythm. "It feels a bit weird because I don’t like too much noise around," she told SuperTennis.

What's the history for Jasmine Paolini in Dubai?

In 2024, Jasmine Paolini enjoyed a breakthrough year on the WTA Tour, with her first significant tournament win coming at the Dubai Tennis Championships. The Italian defeated Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 7-6 in the semi-final, setting up a clash with Anna Kalinskaya in the final. Paolini, unseeded at the event, defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia, Leylah Fernandez, and Maria Sakkari on her way to the quarter-finals. The proximity of fans isn’t new this year either; it’s been part of past events as well. Back in 2019, Halep had similar issues, pointing out that all courts are surrounded by stands with spectators positioned closely around them. And Paolini will be looking to overcome this challenge as she faces Eala on Tuesday. But Eala might be able to take advantage of Paolini's struggles when they meet on court. So Paolini will need to find a way to focus and settle into a rhythm despite the close fan proximity. The Dubai Tennis Championships return in 2026, and Paolini's already voiced her concerns about playing there. As she prepares to face Eala, Paolini will be hoping to draw on her past experience in Dubai. In 2024, she won three matches in a row, defeating Haddad Maia, Fernandez, and Sakkari. And she'll be looking to replicate that form as she takes on Eala on Tuesday. But for now, Paolini is focused on overcoming the challenges of playing in Dubai. The close fan proximity is just one of the hurdles she'll need to overcome. And she'll be hoping to find a way to settle into a rhythm despite the noise and distractions. As the match against Eala approaches, Paolini will be looking to draw on her past experience and find a way to win.

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