Jasmine Paolini Will Play Barbora Krejcikova in Wimbledon Final
Wimbledon
July 12, 2024
Jasmine Paolini will light up her beloved Wimbledon Centre Court again on Saturday after she won an epic semi-final at the All England Club.
The Italian’s 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 (10-8) victory over Donna Vekic was the longest last-four women’s match in Wimbledon history and took nearly three hours to reach its climax.
Paolini featured in the French Open final a few weeks ago. Now she is in a Grand Slam showpiece once more – and aiming for glory.
Jasmine Paolini and Barbora Krejcikova look sure to give us a women’s singles final to remember on Saturday.
The Czech star won through after a three-set thriller of her own against Elena Rybakina. Former Wimbledon winner Elena seemed to be cruising at the end of the first set. But suddenly her serve faded.
Krejcikova seized her opportunity to storm back and book her final spot 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. And the woman inspired by the late and legendary Jana Novotna couldn’t have been happier.
She explained: ‘It’s unbelievable. A lot of joy, a lot of emotions, a lot of relief. I was 0-4 down and just happy I won a first game.
‘A couple of years ago I was working with Jana Novotna – she won it here in 1998. I have so many beautiful memories and when I step on court here I’m just fighting for every single ball. I’m that’s what she would want me to do. I miss her so much.’
Barbora will have to fight even harder against her last remaining rival for the title.
Jasmine Paolini seems to have an incredible spirit. And her bubbly nature is making her one of the most popular women in tennis right now.
After her historic semi-final win, she sounded uncannily similar to Krejcikova. Paolini said: ‘I was a little bit struggling at the beginning. But I was telling myself to fight for every ball.
‘I was so happy with the win. This match I will remember forever.’
Can Jasmine Paolini put the psychological rollercoaster of that classic semi-final to one side and recover enough of her energies to win the final?
Will Barbora start better on Saturday than she did last time out? You sense she will have to do exactly that to seal glory in Novotna’s memory.
The women’s showpiece will undoubtedly give us a dramatic and emotionally charged occasion.
Wimbledon 2024 will give us a fitting finale to a truly unpredictable singles tournament.
Will you be there to enjoy all the action at the glamorous home of tennis?