DUBAI – Jasmine Paolini capped an “incredible” week in Dubai with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Russian world No. 40 Anna Kalinskaya on Feb 24 to claim the second WTA title of her career and first at the 1000 level.

The Italian world No. 26 snapped Kalinskaya’s seven-match winning streak, which included qualifying, and avenged her defeat by the Russian at January’s Australian Open with a brave comeback performance.

Paolini was a set and 1-3 down, and also trailed 1-3 in the decider, but the 28-year-old was at her grittiest best to ensure she became the second Italian woman to triumph at the Dubai Tennis Championships, following in the footsteps of Sara Errani.

“It’s so special, I’m really happy, it was a really tough match. She’s playing unbelievable, she played an unbelievable week and I’m really happy I managed to come back,” said Paolini, who will make her top-15 debut when the new rankings are released on Feb 26.

Paolini began her campaign in Dubai with a come-from-behind win over 11th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia, who led the Italian by a set and a break before getting bagelled in the decider.

Impressive victories over former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez, eighth seed Maria Sakkari, and an in-form Sorana Cirstea followed for Paolini before her heroic effort against Kalinskaya.

“I tried to stay focused every point to believe it and I’m really proud of myself,” said Paolini, who scribbled the word “incredible” on the camera lens to celebrate her triumph.

Kalinskaya was contesting her first tour-level final and was coming off three consecutive victories against top-10 opponents.

The 25-year-old knocked out world No. 9 Jelena Ostapenko, No. 3 Coco Gauff, and No. 1 Iga Swiatek, in her previous three rounds and is projected to make her top-25 debut on Feb 26. She started 2024 at 80th in the world.

Both Kalinskaya and Paolini enjoyed breakthroughs at the Australian Open, with Paolini making the second week of a Major for the first time and Kalinskaya reaching her maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.

“Congrats Jasmine on your first big title, you totally deserve it. You fight for every ball. Enjoy the moment,” said Kalinskaya during the trophy ceremony.

Kalinskaya has won 15 of the 20 matches she has played in 2024 – through qualifying and main draw – and is now down 1-2 overall against Paolini.

Paolini gave a shout-out to Patricia Tarabini, Kalinskaya’s coach, who predicted the pair would meet in the final.

“Before the quarter-finals, I met Patricia and she said, ‘We’re going to see you in the final’. And I said, ‘Are you crazy?’ But here we are,” laughed Paolini.

Over in Doha, Karen Khachanov ended Jakub Mensik’s bid to become the 10th-youngest ATP champion with a straight-set win in the Qatar Open final on Feb 24.

The 17th-ranked Russian won 7-6 (14-12), 6-4 to claim a sixth career title against 18-year-old Mensik, the youngest finalist at a tour event since Carlos Alcaraz at Umag in 2021.

“Every title is a special one,” Khachanov, who didn’t drop a set all week, said on court.

“Every time, you want to win. We play around 22 tournaments per season and, at the end of the day, you compete every week. For sure, here in Doha it is one of the nicest trophies.”

Czech teenager Mensik, the world No. 116 who will break into the top 100 on Feb 26, was playing in just his third main draw event following breakout runs to the third round of the 2023 US Open and a second-round appearance at the Australian Open in January.

On his way to the Doha final, he knocked out former world No. 1 Andy Murray as well as top seed Andrey Rublev.

He had his chances in a marathon opener on Feb 24 when his 27-year-old Russian opponent saved four set points.

“I thought yesterday’s tie-break was preparation for today,” added Khachanov who had claimed a 14-12 breaker against Alexei Popyrin on Feb 23 in the semi-finals.

“Today I couldn’t believe it was the same score, same tie-break... I stayed strong, I’m extremely happy that I won the first set. It lifted me a lot and gave me a lot of confidence to step up in the second.”

Khachanov also faced down 16 aces from the young Czech.

“For a minute, I thought I was playing John Isner and not Jakub Mensik today,” said the Russian.

Meanwhile, Australia’s Jordan Thompson defeated Casper Ruud to seal the first ATP title of his career with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory in the Los Cabos Open final in Mexico on Feb 24. AFP