Jasmine Paolini displayed incredible resilience against Donna Vekic in what has become the longest Wimbledon women’s semifinal on record. Despite losing the opening set, and being two games away from defeat in each of the last two sets, Paolini repeatedly fought back. Throughout the grueling match, she kept reminding herself to “Try, point by point” and “Fight for every ball.”
Paolini, who had never won a match at the All England Club until last week, now advances to her second consecutive Grand Slam final. She triumphed over the unseeded Vekic with a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory in 2 hours and 51 minutes on Centre Court.
“This match,” said the No. 7-seeded Paolini, who will face No. 31 Barbora Krejcikova for the title, “I will remember forever.”
The thrilling encounter captivated both the audience present and millions watching on TV. “It was,” Paolini remarked, “a rollercoaster of emotions.”
The second semifinal also delivered drama, as 2021 French Open champion Krejcikova came from behind to eliminate 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Whoever wins on Saturday will become the eighth woman to claim the Wimbledon title in the past eight editions of the tournament.
Krejcikova, who initially trailed 4-0, managed to win four of the next five games to take the second set. She then secured a crucial break to move ahead 5-3 in the third set against Rybakina, who had a 19-2 career record at the All England Club before this match.
“During the second set, somewhere in the middle, I was getting my momentum,” Krejcikova said. “And when I broke her, I started to be in a zone — and I didn’t want to leave the zone.”
However, nothing compared to the drama between Paolini and Vekic. Vekic, in her first Slam semifinal, claimed more points (118-111), delivered more winners (42-26), and broke serve more often (4-3). “She was hitting winners everywhere,” Paolini said.
Paolini’s perseverance paid off when she finally converted her third match point, as Vekic sent a forehand wide. This victory at Wimbledon follows Paolini’s runner-up finish to Iga Swiatek at the French Open last month. Paolini is the first woman to reach the final matches at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season since Serena Williams in 2016.
“These last months have been crazy for me,” Paolini said with a laugh.
Her journey has been anything but easy. Vekic, showing signs of distress and pain, often cried between points and while sitting in her changeover chair. She iced her right forearm between games. “I thought I was going to die in the third set,” Vekic said. “I didn’t know how I could keep playing.”
Paolini’s recent surge is surprising, as she had never advanced past the second round at any major tournament until reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open in January. Until this Wimbledon, her career record at the tournament was 0-3.
Krejcikova, a 28-year-old from the Czech Republic, is more seasoned, having been a Grand Slam champion and ranked No. 2 in singles, and a seven-time major champion in doubles. She has a 6-2 record at major tournaments against past Slam champions. Her mentor, the late Jana Novotna, won Wimbledon in 1998, and Krejcikova teared up while speaking about her influence. “I just miss her very much. I miss her so much.”
Paolini’s never-give-up attitude was evident at 4-all in the second set when she made a remarkable return on a lob, leading to a crucial break. She held on to win the set with a forehand winner, celebrated with her family and doubles partner Sara Errani, and shouted “Forza!” (“Let’s go!”).
Vekic, playing her fifth three-setter in six matches, came out strong in the final set, breaking early to lead 3-1. However, Paolini steadied herself and her resolve to secure her place in the final.
As she prepared to leave the court, Paolini had one more thing on her mind. “Now I’m going to the ice bath,” she said, “because my legs are a little bit tired.”
Record:
Players able to reach the final at the French Open AND Wimbledon in the same season over the past 17 years
- Roger Federer
- Rafael Nadal
- Novak Djokovic
•Serena Williams - Andy Murray
- Jasmine Paolin
