Italy’s Jasmine Paolini faces Marketa Vondrousova this afternoon in a third-round match on Day 6 of the 2025 U.S. Open on Grandstand court.
The 29-year-old Paolini, currently the world No. 9, is playing the best tennis of her career — reaching a career high rank of No. 4 after winning both the singles and doubles at the Italian Open earlier this year. Ahead of this year’s U.S. Open, she made it all the way to the Cincinnati Open final, falling to Iga Swiatek in a tough two sets — after beating Coco Gauff in the quarters.
In Flushing, Paolini was tested in the second set of her first-round match against Destanee Aiava, which she pulled out in a 7–6(4) tiebreak to seal the straight-sets win. She breezed through her second-round match with teenager Iva Jovic in straight sets.
Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, has quietly pieced together a solid season despite injuries that pushed her outside the top 50.
She came into the U.S. Open with a 14–8 record this year, including a grass-court title in Berlin, and has already logged two confident wins in Flushing Meadows.
She opened with a straight-sets victory over Oksana Selekhmeteva and followed with a 7–6(7), 6–2 win over 32nd seed McCartney Kessler, showcasing her trademark variety and defensive skills.
Vondrousova–Paolini Head-to-Head
Vondrousova leads the head-to-head 1–0, with her lone win coming back in 2017 at Biel. This will be their first meeting in eight years — and at a Grand Slam.
Prediction
Paolini in three sets. Vondrousova’s lefty craft and ability to extend rallies could trouble Paolini, especially if the Italian struggles early to dictate play. But expect Paolini to edge through in a competitive three-set match.
How to Watch Marketa Vondrousova vs. Jasmine Paolini
This afternoon’s third-round match between Marketa Vondrousova and Jasmine Paolini is expected to start at around 1:30 PM Eastern on Grandstand court, after Lehecka-Collignon.
Some of the match may air on ESPN as part of its whip-around coverage. ESPN’s broadcast is simulcast on the ESPN app and website.
A dedicated match stream is available for ESPN+ subscribers. A standalone ESPN+ subscription starts at $11.99/month.
Vondrousova vs. Paolini
Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Expected Start Time: 1:30 PM Eastern (after Lehecka-Collignon)
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, NY
Court: Grandstand Court
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and ESPN+ (dedicated match stream)