Italian Jasmine Paolini captured the hearts of fans by making an improbable run to the final during the Parisian fortnight.

Though her singles tournament ended with a loss she called the “most challenging match I ever played,” she doesn’t see her defeat at the hands of Iga Swiatek as a disappointment – nor should she.

“Now it’s a strange feeling,” the bubbly world No.7 told reporters on Saturday night. “I just lost the final, but I think I have to be happy with those two weeks, and my new ranking.

“It’s a happy moment for me. It’s not a sad moment.”

Paolini, who will compete in Sunday’s women’s doubles final alongside compatriot Sara Errani, against Coco Gauff and Katerina Siniakova, had never been beyond the second round at Roland-Garros prior to this year. She demonstrated an eye-opening level in reaching the final, particularly in her three-set takedown of fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina, a woman who had won 20 of 21 matches on clay prior to their quarter-final showdown.

Her semi-final, a 6-3, 6-1 virtuoso victory over teenager Mirra Andreeva was a sight to behold as well.

‘Take chances when the chances are coming’

Now that she’s been to a Grand Slam final, what comes next for the Tuscan?

Paolini knows the future is unpredictable, but believes that if she continues working with the passion and dedication that has helped her make such big strides this season, she can be even better.

“To play a Grand Slam final, it’s beautiful,” she said. “Let’s see what the future will bring to me. Throughout this year I have been more consistent, I think that helped me to also take chances when the chances are coming.”

The 28-year-old may have a Grand Slam final and a top-10 ranking to her name now, but the success won’t change her approach to her tennis in the months and years to come.

“We still try to improve,” she said. “Because I think it’s the most important thing to step on court every day and try to improve and to keep this consistency. Because if you stop I think the consistency will stop with you.”

Iga’s intensity a lesson

Paolini expressed admiration for the bristling game of Swiatek after Sunday’s final, saying that she had never experienced a challenge so daunting.

“I never played a player that has this intensity before in my life,” she said. “So it was my first time facing a player that is taking time away as much as she does, but also hitting winners… I think it was the most challenging match I played in my entire career.”

What’s the takeaway? Just rubbing up against a Roland-Garros legend in a match of that magnitude has helped Paolini reset her ambition.

“I think that my goal right now is to try to keep this level, to, let’s say, play against Iga one more time. I don’t know where. It can be second round, can be first round. I don’t care.

“I think playing against her can give me something to add things to my game. It’s challenging, but at the same time, I can understand more about what I have to improve.”

Now that her biggest final is behind her, the 5’4” firecracker can set her sights on Sunday’s doubles final. Then it’s on to the next mission, like it always has been.

“I don’t know where the future can bring me,” she said. “I don’t know which one is my next dream. But I’m enjoying the moment, I’m in the present, and I think it’s nice to discover, step by step.”