9 hours ago
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Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini was handed a bizarre good luck charm after her victory on Court 5 at the US Open on Wednesday.
In the early morning session on the outer court, Paolini managed to easily handle her fellow countrywoman Lucrezia Stefanini in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.
After the match, Paolini was signing autographs and greeting fans when she was approached by a blonde woman wearing sunglasses.
The woman then produced a $2 bill, which Paolini initially thought was something she wanted signed. Instead, the spectator explained: 'It's for you. It's a $2 bill, they're rare, and they represent good luck.'
Paolini then thanked the fan, who advised the Italian to keep it in her bag the rest of the tournament.
It appears that some sort of good luck message was inscribed on the bill for the 19-seed in the women's singles bracket, who then held it up to the camera with a surprised look.
Italian tennis star Jasmine Paolini was gifted a strange good luck charm by a fan
A woman handed Paolini a $2 bill, noting that they're 'rare' and a token of 'good luck'
Paolini beat countrywoman Lucrezia Stefanini in straight sets to book a third-round spot
While not exactly rare – with 1.7billion $2 bills active in the United States – they're not commonly seen among the 55.6billion paper bills in circulation.
'I thought it was a nice gift and she told me this was the lucky one,' Paolini told the New York Post.
'[She said] 'keep it for yourself.' I was like, okay. I put it in the bag and it [will] stay with me. We'll see if it's going to work. That's the important thing.'
Paolini cruised to a victory in the second set after a close first frame which the 30-year-old won when Stefanini returned a serve into the net.
The world No. 21 has only gone as far as the Round of 16 at Flushing Meadows, which was accomplished back in 2024 – the same year she reached the final at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
With a spot in the third round secure, Paolini faces 16-seed Sorana Cîrstea of Romania.
