Jasmine Paolini triumphs in Wimbledon’s longest women’s semifinal, set to challenge Barbora Krejcikova next.

Jasmine Paolini staged a remarkable comeback against Donna Vekic in what became the longest Wimbledon women’s semifinal in history. After dropping the first set and facing defeat while two games away in both of the last two sets, Paolini displayed incredible resilience, even trailing by a break in the third set. Throughout the match, she focused on two mantras: “Try, point by point” and “Fight for every ball.”

Before this tournament, Paolini had never won a match at Wimbledon, but her determination has propelled her to her second consecutive Grand Slam final. She secured a thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) victory over Vekic, lasting 2 hours and 51 minutes on Centre Court. “This match, I will remember forever,” said the No. 7 seed, who will face No. 31 Barbora Krejcikova in the final. Her victory was not just a personal triumph but also a memorable experience for the thousands in attendance and millions watching from home. Paolini described the match as “a rollercoaster of emotions.”

The second semifinal, while shorter by 44 minutes, was equally dramatic. Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, made a strong comeback to defeat 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina. Both matches highlighted the intense competition at this year’s tournament, culminating in an exciting showdown for the title.

Paolini’s journey through the tournament has been nothing short of extraordinary. Each match tested her limits, but her tenacity has been a defining feature of her play. As she prepares to face Krejcikova, Paolini is not only aiming for victory but also looking to cement her place among the elite in women’s tennis. With both players demonstrating remarkable skill and determination, the final promises to be an exhilarating contest.