Jasmine Paolini began her U.S. Open campaign with an unusual token of luck after defeating compatriot Lucrezia Stefanini on Wednesday. Following her 6-4, 6-1 victory, a fan presented the No. 19 seed with a $2 bill, explaining it was intended to bring her good fortune for the remainder of the tournament.
Paolini, currently ranked World No. 21, initially mistook the fan's gesture for a request to autograph the bill. After clarifying the fan's intention, she accepted the gift and stated she would keep it in her bag. "We'll see if it's going to work. That's the important thing," Paolini remarked about the lucky charm.
The Italian player expressed her enjoyment of competing in New York, noting the city's unique atmosphere and the enthusiastic crowd. "I think the city is something special, something different from the others, and the fans as well," Paolini said. "They are so loud, so excited and many Italians as well. So it's a nice place to play tennis, I think, because the energy, it's really high."
The match against Stefanini saw Paolini overcome a competitive first set before dominating the second. This marks Paolini's seventh appearance in the main draw of the U.S. Open. Her best performance at the Flushing Meadows tournament to date was reaching the Round of 16 in 2024.
Paolini is scheduled to face Romania's Sorana Cîrstea in the third round, where the efficacy of her newfound lucky charm will be tested.