Jasmine Paolini was shocked by Cristina Bucsa in the semi-finals of the Merida Open, with the Spaniard now meeting Magdalena Frech in the showpiece match.

Paolini had rallied after a slow start to defeat Katie Boulter in the quarter-finals on Friday, but the Italian showed no such powers of recovery in the last four as she lost 7-5 6-4.

Bucsa looked to be in total control of the first set when back-to-back breaks put her 5-2 up, only for Paolini to reel off three straight games, including two breaks of her own, to take it to 5-5.  

However, the Italian could not keep her composure when back on serve in game 11, as Bucsa made her third break point count and teed up a set-clinching hold.

The second set also ran away from Paolini early on, with Bucsa winning the first four games – including two in a row to love – to put herself within touching distance.

Paolini recovered one break, but she was unable to get any closer as Bucsa served it out in relative comfort to reach her second tour-level final.

"It's so special because today is my dad's birthday, so this win is for him," Busca said post-match. "I was so focused on playing my game. 

"I tried to be consistent, but later, Jasmine tried to hit harder and she was going for more winners. But I was keeping my mind calm, and I'm very happy about this win."

Bucsa's victory guaranteed two unseeded players would meet in the final, and in Saturday's other last-four matchup, Frech defeated Zhang Shuai 6-2 6-7 (6-8) 6-3.

Finalists, assemble @MercedesBenz | #MeridaOpen pic.twitter.com/bIWmLI5ekQ

— wta (@WTA) March 1, 2026

Data Debrief: Breakout win for Bucsa

Bucsa entered Saturday's match having lost all 10 of her prior contests with Paolini, but she finally halted that run in style. It was also the Spaniard's first-ever top-10 win.

Her final opponent, Frech, is into her second showpiece match at an ATP 500 event in Mexico, having won her only previous title at the 2024 Guadalajara Open.