Quote of the Day: Jasmine Paolini's “secret weapon” has nothing to ...

The No. 12 seed continues a great fortnight for Italy at Roland Garros, after reaching her first Grand Slam semifinals in both singles and doubles.

It’s a great week to be Italian at Roland Garros. While countryman Jannik Sinner may be dominating the headlines with his rise to world No. 1, the diminutive powerhouse Jasmine Paolini has also been making some big strides of her own.

The No. 12 seed recorded the biggest win of her career on Wednesday after she stunned big-hitting No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to book a spot in her first Grand Slam semifinal.

Read More: Jasmine Paolini holds off Elena Rybakina to reach maiden major semifinal at Roland Garros

But that’s only half of the story, as Paolini is also winning big in doubles too. Partnered with fellow Italian Sara Errani, who won the 2012 women’s doubles title, for a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Diana Shnaider and Emma Navarro to reach the final four.

“Today was the perfect day, I think, in singles and doubles,” a grinning Paolini told press afterward. “The singles was a really tough match. I'm happy I managed to come back in the third set, because (it) was tough after the second set.

“I'm really happy with my performance, and I'm also happy for the doubles, of course.”

As it usually does for the 5’4” Italian, her height became a topic of conversation after her upset over 6’0” Rybakina—even Paolini’s next opponent, Mirra Andreeva, 17, will be five inches taller than her when they meet on Thursday.

The 28-year-old is used to facing opponents that tower over her, but “wishing” that things were different doesn’t do much for Paolini—who has learned to improve “other aspects” of her game to offset her height disadvantage.

Q: Is it intimidating for somebody who is, with all due respect, not as big as your opponent today and some of the newer players? Or is it kind of like some secret weapon that you have?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Secret weapon? No (smiling).

I wish I was taller, because I could serve better. But I think I accept that I have to do with my own body. I mean, I'm short. Okay, we try to not make it a problem, we try to do something different to improve other aspect…

I mean, I wish I was taller, but it's okay, I'm not.

Q: Me too.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, I'm not. We have to do with what we have, you know (smiling).