- Uganda fuel truck explosion kills 11
- Austria's Grand Slam winner Thiem ends career cheered on by home crowd
- Union sees 'tight' vote on contract to end Boeing strike
- Reijnders fires AC Milan to first Champions League points with Club Brugge double
- Record-breaking Liverpool vow to improve against Leipzig
- Uganda fuel truck explosion kills at least 10
- Forest owner Marinakis banned for spitting towards officials
- ECB chief Lagarde invites Trump to visit after central bank criticism
- Blinken urges Israel to reach Gaza truce, allow more aid
- As Trump touts tariffs, Yellen says US has rejected 'isolationism'
- Argentina prosecutors deny releasing Liam Payne toxicology tests
- India, China and S.Africa leaders bolster Putin at key summit
- Windfall tax backlash menaces Spain's green energy sector
- England winger Gordon signs Newcastle contract extension
- Ex-Abercrombie CEO charged with sex crimes
- US plans to contribute $20 bn for Ukraine loan: Yellen
- Critically endangered whale species rebounds slightly
- US interest rate, election uncertainty hit stock market sentiment
- Russian dissident Navalny's memoir published worldwide
- Strong auto prices lift GM results as it eyes China revamp
- 'Dutchman' Hirscher to step out of retirement in Soelden
- UN eyes modest 2024 maritime trade growth, but future uncertain
- 70% of Cuba's population has power back after blackout
- Families separated by front line in Russia's Kursk region
- India, China and S.Africa leaders underpin Putin at key summit
- Navalny memoirs spark mix of curiosity, indifference in Moscow
- Modi calls for quick end to Ukraine conflict in talks with Putin
- Ukraine peace talks, NATO invite may hinge on US elections, Zelensky says
- Leipzig players 'not yet talking' about Klopp, says Openda before Liverpool tie
- IMF predicts slightly slower global growth in 2024 and 2025
- US interest rate, election uncertainy hit stock market sentiment
- Guardiola applauds Man City mentality ahead of Sparta Prague test
- San Siro saga continues as Inter and AC Milan propose new stadium project
- French luxury brand Chanel to sponsor Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race
- Flick calm despite Barca's dire Bayern record
- Kenya court hears challenge to deputy leader's impeachment
- Women footballers call on FIFA to drop Saudi Aramco as sponsor
- Mozambican opposition leader says security forces killed his lawyer
- Modi calls for quick end to Ukraine conflict in meeting with Putin
- Stock markets diverge tracking US outlook
- Snyman returns for Springboks' November internationals
- Bangladesh battle at 101-3 as South Africa threaten innings defeat
- Over 250 women in talks with Harrods over Al-Fayed claims
- England pick Ahmed as third spinner for deciding Pakistan Test
- Verreynne century puts South Africa on top, Bangladesh 19-2 at tea
- Navalny's tomb 'covered with fresh flowers every day': widow
- Schauffele targets more success in Japan after major breakthroughs
- Rare Tintin albums go under the hammer in Paris
- Blinken in Israel to push for Gaza truce
- Most markets fall as traders weigh US rates outlook
Late bloomer Paolini savours 'unbelievable' Rybakina upset
Italy's Jasmine Paolini reached her first Grand Slam semi-final at the French Open on Wednesday after dumping out fourth seed Elena Rybakina 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
Paolini, seeded 12th, is enjoying the best season of her career at the age of 28 after years of toil and a succession of early exits at the biggest tournaments.
"It's an unbelievable feeling," said Paolini, who had never previously made it past the second round at any Grand Slam until this year.
She had two points for a 5-3 lead on her serve in the second set but had to regroup after former Wimbledon champion Rybakina rallied to take the match to a deciding set.
"It was a really tough match. I was a bit too emotional in the second set," added Paolini.
"I said to myself 'ok, it is good'. She (Rybakina) is a great champion so it can happen. I tried to hit every ball and it worked, I am here."
Paolini followed up her singles victory by also making it through to the semi-finals of the women's doubles alongside Sara Errani.
She hopes to go a step further than Errani, who lost the 2012 French Open singles final to Maria Sharapova.
"It's somebody that I think can help me so much. She already did a Grand Slam final, so she already have been in this position," said Paolini.
- Contrasting roads -
While success was a long time coming for Paolini, who claimed her biggest title -- only the second of her career -- in Dubai in February, her upcoming opponent is the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist in 27 years.
Mirra Andreeva has been turning heads since bursting onto the scene in April 2023 when she advanced to the last 16 of the Madrid Open on her WTA main draw debut.
That run, incidentally, was ended by Aryna Sabalenka.
On Wednesday, the 17-year-old Andreeva avenged that defeat with a shock 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-4 over the two-time Australian Open champion.
Andreeva had already ensured she would break into the world's top 30 before toppling Sabalenka, but it wasn't until last season Paolini made that same leap.
"I think I started to play better with more consistency last year," said the Italian, who was a member of the team that reached the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup final, which ended in defeat by Canada.
"I think match by match I felt more convinced that I can play at the higher level but it was a process. (It wasn't) like I switch something," explained Paolini.
"The problem, I think, let's say 'problem,' but it's me that I wasn't believing that I could reach the result that I'm reaching now when I was younger."
That was reflected in her winning a total of four matches in 16 Grand Slam appearances before advancing to the fourth round of the Australian Open in January.
Now she is two wins away in her unlikely quest to emulate compatriot Francesca Schiavone, who won the 2010 French Open.
History suggests whatever Thursday's outcome against Andreeva that time is still on Paolini's side.
Schiavone's Grand Slam breakthrough came two weeks before she turned 30, while Flavia Pennetta -- the only other Italian woman to win a major -- captured the 2015 US Open aged 33.
L.Harper--AMWN