Paolini Triumphs in Longest Wimbledon Women’s Semifinal

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Jasmine Paolini showed remarkable resilience against Donna Vekic in the longest Wimbledon women’s semifinal on record. After losing the first set and being two games from defeat in each of the last two sets, Paolini fought back, twice trailing by a break in the third, only to emerge victorious. Her mantra throughout the match was simple: “Try, point by point” and “Fight for every ball.”

Paolini, who had never won a match at the All England Club until last week, will now compete in her second consecutive Grand Slam final. Her thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over the unseeded Vekic lasted 2 hours and 51 minutes on Centre Court. Reflecting on the match, the No. 7-seeded Paolini described it as a “rollercoaster of emotions” and added, “I will remember forever.”


In the other semifinal, 2021 French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova overcame 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match filled with its own share of dramatic moments. Trailing 4-0 at the start, Krejcikova rallied to take the second set and secured a pivotal break in the third to move ahead 5-3. Krejcikova mentioned how she found her momentum, stating, “During the second set, somewhere in the middle, I was getting my momentum. And when I broke her, I started to be in a zone — and I didn’t want to leave the zone.”

Despite the excitement in Krejcikova’s match, it couldn’t match the drama of Paolini and Vekic’s battle. Vekic, debuting in a Slam semifinal, scored more points (118-111), hit more winners (42-26), and broke serve more times (4-3), yet it was Paolini who prevailed. She finally converted her third match point when Vekic’s forehand went wide. This victory follows Paolini’s runner-up finish to Iga Swiatek at the French Open last month. The Italian is the first woman to reach title matches at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season since Serena Williams in 2016.

Vekic, visibly distressed throughout the match due to pain in her arm and leg, struggled to maintain her composure, often crying between points and during changeovers. “I thought I was going to die in the third set,” she said, expressing disbelief at her ability to continue playing. Paolini’s journey to this point has been nothing short of surprising. She had never advanced past the second round in any major tournament until reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open in January. Her career record at Wimbledon was 0-3 before this fortnight, and she had never won a tour-level match on grass until a tuneup event at Eastbourne last month.

Krejcikova, on the other hand, has a more decorated history, having been a Grand Slam champion and reaching as high as No. 2 in singles, along with seven major titles and a No. 1 ranking in doubles. She has a 6-2 record at major tournaments against past Slam champions. Her win at Wimbledon holds a special place, considering her mentor, Jana Novotna, won the tournament in 1998. Krejcikova, emotional while discussing Novotna’s influence, said, “I have so many beautiful memories, and when I step on the court here, I’m just fighting for every single ball, because I think that’s what she would want me to do. I just miss her very much. I miss her so much.”

Both women needed time to find their rhythm in their matches. Paolini’s perseverance was evident when, at 4-all in the second, she managed to return a lob with her back to the net, eventually winning the point as Vekic missed an overhead. After holding serve to lead 5-4, Paolini broke for the set with a forehand winner, looked to her guest box, and screamed, “Forza!” Vekic, who had been in five three-set matches out of six, took a break before the final set. She came out strong, breaking Paolini in the opening game and leading 3-1 and later 4-3.

“I believed I could win until the end,” Vekic said. But Paolini steadied herself and her racket, securing her chance to play for a Grand Slam trophy. Before heading to the locker room, Paolini had one last thought: “Now I’m going to the ice bath,” she said, “because my legs are a little bit tired.”