Jasmine Paolini on Maria Sakkari's match-point double fault: "I'm sorry to her, but..."

CINCINNATI, Ohio — Jasmine Paolini isn’t shy about it: She will take all the free points she can get at the Cincinnati Open.

The No. 7 seed had her hands full against former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari in a tight Center Court battle on Sunday. Paolini built big leads in both the first set and the second-set tiebreak, but each time, Sakkari fought back.

After two hours and 13 minutes in hot, humid conditions, Paolini closed out a 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) win. The match ended on a sour note for Sakkari, who struck her fourth double fault of the day on match point, handing Paolini a spot in the third round.

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Speaking to Steve Weissman at the Tennis Channel desk afterward, Paolini couldn’t help but laugh when asked about the final point.

“Be honest with me Jasmine, were you relieved when she double faulted on that last point?” Weissman asked, prompting Paolini to burst into laughter.

“Yes!” she said. “I’m sorry to her, but yes! After she missed that first serve, I was thinking, like, ‘Please make the double fault!' I have to be honest, yes.”

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“It was a really tough tiebreak,” she continued. “I was up 6-0 and (there was) a volley over the net and I missed it in the net. And then it was 6-5, and I was praying!”

Paolini will face No. 26 seed Ashlyn Krueger next on Tuesday. The top-ranked Italian woman said she’s still searching for consistency amid an up-and-down season.

This time last year, she was on a dream run—reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, climbing to WTA world No. 4, and winning Olympic gold in women’s doubles with Sara Errani in Paris.

This year, she has flown a bit more under the radar. Paolini captured her second WTA 1000 title on home soil in Rome, but has struggled to build momentum at other big events.

“I think I’ve played a good season,” Paolini told reporters after the match. “Not like last year, last year was maybe more consistent every week. This year, there are more ups and downs.

“But still, I think my level is there, I just need to find the consistency in every tournament… To be focused in every tournament, to take some rest when I need it, to practice when I need it, and to step on court focused—I think that’s the key.”