Paolini beat Erjavec 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 at the US Open, edging a final set that saw five breaks of serve. The key was her return game: Paolini created 15 break points, converted six, and won 40 receiving points to Erjavec's 25.
Erjavec broke first in the opener at 0-1, but Paolini broke back at 1-1 and again at 5-3 to take it 6-3. Erjavec levelled the match 3-6, breaking in games 4 and 6 of the second set. The decider swung on five breaks: Paolini led 3-1, Erjavec cut it to 4-3, and after exchanging breaks at 5-3 and 5-4, Paolini broke Erjavec one last time at 6-4 to close out the win.
Paolini's first serve was the anchor — she won 73% of points behind it, against 58% for Erjavec — though she also served five double faults and saved only 28% of break points faced. Erjavec, by contrast, saved 60% of her break points, but Paolini's relentless pressure on return was the difference.