Elina Svitolina mounted a remarkable comeback to defeat fourth seed Jasmine Paolini in three sets, booking her place in the French Open quarter-finals for the fifth time in her career.
The Ukrainian 13th seed battled back from the brink, saving three match points in the second set before surging to a 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 victory over last year’s finalist.
“I still can’t believe it ended in my favour,” Svitolina said after the match. “My head is still in the battle. Jasmine played incredibly well, but I stayed composed and fought until the last point — and now I’m into the next round.”
Svitolina will next face either defending champion Iga Swiatek or 12th seed Elena Rybakina, depending on the outcome of their fourth-round clash.
Paolini, 29, entered the tournament as one of the favourites after a breakthrough 2024 season that included finals at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, as well as a recent title win at the Italian Open.
She made a fast start, winning the first three games and eventually sealing the opening set 6-4 with a blistering forehand winner.
In a tense second set, both players struggled to hold serve. Paolini served for the match at 5-3, but Svitolina saved two match points to level the set. In the tie-break, the 30-year-old Ukrainian fended off a third match point before edging it to force a decider.
Svitolina then took full control in the final set, her forehand dominating the rallies with 10 winners to Paolini’s four. A clean backhand down the line sealed the win and capped off one of the tournament’s most dramatic turnarounds.
