Jasmine Paolini secured a dramatic win over Donna Vekic, advancing to her first Wimbledon women’s singles final.
Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini made history as the first Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon final, defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8) in a nail-biting semi-final on Wednesday. The match, the longest women’s semi-final in Wimbledon history, captivated fans on Centre Court as both players vied for a spot in the final against either Barbora Krejcikova or defending champion Elena Rybakina.
Both Paolini and Vekic, both 28, were in unfamiliar territory. Vekic was playing in her first major semi-final, while Paolini had never won a grass-court match before this tournament.
Vekic dominated the opening set, breaking Paolini’s serve in the fifth and seventh games. Her mix of groundstrokes and drop shots proved too much for Paolini, a surprise finalist at the French Open last month.
However, Paolini, buoyed by a vocal Italian contingent, became more aggressive in the second set. She approached the net more frequently, forcing Vekic onto the back foot. Her persistence paid off, securing a crucial break to win the set.
The final set was a roller-coaster, with both players exchanging multiple breaks and racking up unforced errors. Vekic, visibly fatigued and emotional, fought hard and even saved a match point while in tears. Paolini’s determination shone through as she overturned a crucial line call and held serve in a grueling 10-minute game, leaving Vekic sobbing during the changeover.
Vekic managed to save another match point and held serve to push the set into a tiebreak. Despite her resilience, Vekic made 57 unforced errors and struggled physically, often expressing her frustration to coach Pam Shriver. In contrast, Paolini remained energetic and focused, ultimately prevailing in the two-hour, 51-minute epic. Both players covered over 3.5 kilometers on the court, showcasing their stamina and tenacity.
“This past month has been crazy for me. I am focusing on my game and loving every moment of it. Being here is a dream,” said Paolini, who recently reached the semi-finals in Eastbourne. “The match was intense, and I gave my best. Now it’s time to recover—I definitely need an ice bath as my legs are exhausted.”
This match surpassed the previous record for the longest women’s semi-final at Wimbledon, set by Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva in 2009 at two hours and 50 minutes.
