LONDON, July 5

Jasmine Paolini continued to carry the flag for Italian tennis on the women’s side as the seventh seed downed former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu 7-6(4) 6-1 at Wimbledon today to make the fourth round for the first time.

The diminutive French Open runner-up, who also reached the last-16 at the Australian Open this season, became the first woman from her nation to make the second week at each of the first three Grand Slams in a single year. “It’s strange. When I was watching the (Italian) girls that were winning Slams, making finals, I felt like they were so far from me, you know? It’s something I’m proud of,” Paolini said.

While Italian men’s No. 1 Jannik Sinner has hogged much of the limelight with his maiden Grand Slam triumph at Melbourne this year, Paolini has won hearts with a mixture of fierce competitiveness and joviality on the court. — Reuters

DAY 3: HIGHLIGHTS

Badosa keeps it up

Spain’s Paula Badosa dumped out 14th seed Daria Kasatkina, beating her 7-6(6) 4-6 6-4 in the third round.

Keys, Navarro through

American 12th seed Madison Keys beat Ukrainian 18th seed Marta Kostyuk 6-4 6-3 to reach the fourth round where she will take on French Open finalist Jasmine Paolini.

Tommy downs Bublik

US 12th seed Tommy Paul eased past 23rd seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-3 6-4 6-2, extending his winning run on grass to eight matches