The week in tennis: Paolini’s inspiring story, Thompson’s incredibly busy day and much more

Entering Dubai, 28-year-old Jasmine Paolini had won just one WTA title on tour, at the 250-level Slovenia Open in 2021. She had never advanced past the quarterfinals at a 1000-level tournament. And even that she had done only once during her career.

What a difference a week makes.

On Saturday, the unseeded Italian capped off her exceptional run — which included wins over Beatriz Haddad Maia, Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari — with a comeback victory over giant-slayer Anna Kalinskaya 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to claim the 1000-level trophy in Dubai. The gleeful smile that emerged on her face after winning the final point didn’t seem to fade throughout any of the postmatch festivities or ceremony.

Never say die 🏆

Jasmine Paolini claims her maiden WTA 1000 title against Kalinskaya 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 after coming from 3-5 down in the third!#DDFTennis pic.twitter.com/womQ9IprjG

— wta (@WTA) February 24, 2024

“I think every person has her own steps, [their own] story,” Paolini said later during her news conference. “I need some more time to believe maybe that I could play at this level how I did this week. It’s not going to be like this I know every week. It’s tough. It’s the best players in the world.

“But I’m here enjoying my tennis, enjoying the matches on court. I’m just loving what I do, just trying to live the present, to stay there, to make the best I could do in that moment. I’m really, really happy.”

It’s been a breakthrough season for Paolini so far. She reached the fourth round at the Australian Open — having never played past the second round at a major previously — before losing to Kalinskaya, and won the doubles title with fellow countrywoman Sara Errani in Linz earlier this month. Now, following the biggest victory of her career, Paolini holds a career-high ranking of No. 14 in the world and a surge of momentum heading into the upcoming “Sunshine Swing” in Indian Wells and Miami.

Here’s what else you might have missed from around the tennis world last week:

Best day ever

If you love stories like Paolini’s about athletes who spend years working hard to chase down a dream and finally see results later in their career, you’re in luck. Jordan Thompson, a 29-year-old Australian, had never won a singles title on the ATP Tour when he arrived to Los Cabos last week.

But you would never know that by the way he played in the tournament. Thompson was impressive throughout and improbably fought back to beat Alex Michelsen in the quarterfinals…