Jasmine Paolini is clear for her second consecutive Grand Slam final.
The Italian defeated Donna Vekic in the longest Wimbledon semifinal on the women's side of all time.
Paolini turned the match around and won against the Croatian Vekic. It became really dramatic and everything was decided in a tiebreak.
The winning numbers were finally 2–6, 6–4, 7–6 (10–8).
The match took a total of two hours and 51 minutes. The longest women's semifinal in Wimbledon history, according to Eurosport.
I'm so happy about this win! I'll remember this match forever, says Paolini in Eurosport's broadcast.
"Love playing tennis"
Paolini thus continues to show brilliant form. Earlier this summer, the 28-year-old reached the final of the French Championships, but lost to Iga Swiatek there. With this final spot, she is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to play the final in Wimbledon and the French Championships in the same season.
The last few months have been crazy for me. But I'm trying to focus on what I need to do on the court and enjoy it. I love playing tennis and it's fantastic to be here and play on this arena, says Paolini.
"Super proud of my game"
In the final, Barbora Krejcikova from the Czech Republic awaits. Later on Thursday evening, she sensationally defeated the Kazakh Jelena Rybakina.
That match also contained three sets and a turnaround. Rybakina won comfortably in the first set before Krejcikova turned it around and won. The result was 3–6, 6–3, 6–4.
Afterwards, the joy was great.
It's incredible! It's very hard to explain what I'm feeling now, but it's both joy and relief. I'm super proud of my game and my fighting spirit, says Krejcikova.
Neither Krejcikova nor Paolini has played a singles final in Wimbledon before. Paolini has never won a Grand Slam title before, while Krejcikova can boast of her victory in the French Championships in 2021. In addition, Krejcikova has racked up Grand Slam titles in doubles in recent years.
The final will be played on Saturday.
