Round 2 of the 2025 Cincinnati Open continued on Sunday with a match that some would consider tournament finals level. Former world #3 Maria Sakkari of Greece faced off against former world #4 Jasmine Paolini of Italy. Sakkari is currently ranked #65, and Paolini is ranked #9 in the world.
Sakkari is looking to move back into the top 10 after struggles in recent years, and hopes this could relaunch that bid.
Paolini is looking for a return to the top 5, and while Cincinnati won't be enough for to move into the top 5, some help in other matches, and hoisting the Rookwood Cup would move her as high as #6.
The match started with Paolini jumping out to a close 3-0 lead, which every game went to deuce. Sakkari would strike back taking the next game, but Paolini would then claim the next two. At 1-5 with her back against the wall, Sakkari would take the next 4 games to tie it at 5-5. Both ladies would hold serve sending the first set to a tiebreaker. Sakkari took a 2-1 lead to start the tiebreaker, but would not score a point after that, and Paolini would take the 1st set.
The second set saw Sakkari jump out early, before Paolini got the score even at 3-3. Both would trade games and head to another tiebreaker. Paolini would win the first 6 points before Sakkari could rally and take the next 5. It would not be enough though as Paolini would take the second set and the match.
Paolini defeats Sakkari 7-6(2),7-6(5).
Paolini moves on to face Ashlynn Kreuger in the 3rd Round on Tuesday.
Check out photos from this match below