After ending a six-year partnership with long-time coach Renzo Furlan, the top-ranked Italian tennis player brought in Lopez, who worked with Rafael Nadal for three years before the Spaniard retired.

Paolini, who starred in last year's Wimbledon Final, lost in the second round last week to Russian Kamilla Rakhimova, reports Reuters. Days later, the World No. 5 fired her coach.