Top seed Sabalenka delivered a clinical performance on Thursday, dominating Paolini with powerful serves and punishing groundstrokes.
Aside from two mistimed overheads and an ambitious ‘tweener’ shot which did not have enough power to trouble her opponent, Sabalenka barely put a foot wrong as she surged to victory in just one hour and 13 minutes.
“Super-happy that I was able to give myself another chance, another final, another opportunity to hold a trophy,” Sabalenka said.
“She’s an incredible player so I knew I would have to work for every point.
“I focused on my serve and tried to hit as low as possible because she hits flat. Super-happy with the level I played.”
Sabalenka has reached her fourth final in 2025, winning in Brisbane in January before defeats by American Madison Keys at the Australian Open then by Andreeva at Indian Wells two weeks ago.
