J. PAOLINI/J. Ostapenko
7-5, 6-2
Q. How important is it to stay calm against someone who can hit winners?
JASMINE PAOLINI: A lot. A lot. I think today was the key, I was trying to be there every point, to try to make her play another ball because so tough to play against her. She's unpredictable. She can hit winners from all the parts of the court.
It's a tough opponent, for sure.
Q. Not everybody enjoys to play at home. You seem to be embracing the challenge. How have you been using the crowd to keep you in good energy?
JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, today was unbelievable. The atmosphere was really, really, really great. I really enjoyed trying to, with them, fight every point and trying to stay there. It worked really well. I'm really happy.
Q. With there being a new Pope, Jannik coming back, does this feel like an extra special week in Rome as a player?
JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes, of course. We are many players now. We really enjoy being in this era of the Italian tennis. We are like a team. Everybody is pushing each other.
It's great to have also Lorenzo Musetti, top 10. Matteo is there. It's great to have many matches of Italian players.
Q. In general, what has it been like coming back to Italy after all you achieved last year?
JASMINE PAOLINI: It's crazy. It's really crazy. I really enjoy it. Tennis is getting more popular in Italy. That's really great for our sport, for us as athlete and tennis player. It's great.
We are enjoying, I think.
Q. With everything you achieved last year, what have you been doing this year to maybe not focus so much on pressure, expectations? How are you staying calm?
JASMINE PAOLINI: It's not easy every time. I'm trying with my mindset to keep the expectation low because in tennis everything can happen: good things, bad things...
Just be prepared that everything can happen. Try to step out there and give my 100% every time. It's my goal to enjoying also playing tennis. Remember that it's my sport, it's my job, but also it's my passion. I really, really trying to keep that mindset.
Q. What has it been like with Marc? How did that come together?
JASMINE PAOLINI: At the moment it's great, you know? Not many tournaments. Not many days of practice because we are always in the tournament. The moment I'm feeling good with him. I don't know. We will see. But at the moment everything is fine.
Q. How did you decide on working with him?
JASMINE PAOLINI: I don't know. Was a random one honestly (smiling). I talked to my agent and I said, Maybe we can try to call Marc.
He said yes. He was the first we contact, and that was great (laughter).
Q. Did you know him before?
JASMINE PAOLINI: Not really. Not really. I saw him, of course, traveling with Rafa. I didn't know him before, honestly.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports