WUHAN, China (AP) — Iga Swiatek was knocked out of the Wuhan Open on Friday in a straight-set defeat to Jasmine Paolini — a player the Wimbledon champion had never previously lost against. Paolini powered her way to a 6-1, 6-2 victory over the second-ranked Swiatek in a quarterfinal that was over in 65 minutes.
It was the Italian’s first victory over Swiatek in their seventh meeting — with Paolini having previously won only one set — and secured her a semifinal spot against the third-ranked Coco Gauff. “Finally I won a match,” the seventh-seeded Paolini said. “I’m super happy about my level. Just feels amazing.” Paolini has a much better record against Gauff, having triumphed over the American in their past three meetings. Gauff cruised into a second straight semifinal with a 6-3, 6-0 vic