Paolini sweeps aside Tomljanovic to reach third round

Jasmine Paolini moved into the third round of the French Open with a routine win against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic.

The fourth seed, who was a runner-up at Roland Garros last year, swept Tomljanovic aside in a 6-3 6-3 victory.

Fresh from from lifting a WTA 1,000 title in Rome earlier this month, the victory was Paolini's eighth in a row.

The Italian enjoyed a memorable 2024 season, soaring up the WTA rankings after reaching the final of both the French Open and Wimbledon, while she also won Olympic gold in the women's doubles in Paris with compatriot Sara Errani.

Asked if she felt calmer playing on Court Philippe Chatrier this year, Paolini replied: "It's a different feel I guess because last year I played a few matches here, and then again at Olympics so I am a bit more used to this court. Before I never played here.

"I like this court, I have great memories here and it is great to be back in Paris in front of this crowd."

Playing her first match on Philippe Chatrier since she lost to Iga Swiatek in last year's final, Paolini was gifted the first break to go 3-1 up after a series of unforced errors by Tomljanovic.

She maintained that cushion to wrap up the first set comfortably before charging through the opening three games of the second.

Tomljanovic fought hard to pull a break back and she narrowed the gap to 3-2, but Paolini kept her composure to wrap up the victory by breaking again at 5-3.

The world number four will face Ukraine's Yuliia Starodubtseva or Russian Anastasia Potapova next.

Earlier on Wednesday, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen also cruised into the third round with a 6-2 6-3 victory against Colombia's Emiliana Arango.