The All England Club hosted the longest women’s semi-final on Thursday, with Italy’s Jasmine Paolini reaching her maiden Wimbledon final after an inspiring comeback victory over emotional Croatian Donna Vekic 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (10/8).
Prior to this year, Paolini had never triumphed in a Wimbledon main draw match. However, the world number seven fought back to defeat Vekic in two hours and fifty-one minutes on Centre Court, guaranteeing a second straight Grand Slam final berth.
Paolini was able to enjoy becoming the first Italian woman to reach the Wimbledon final after enduring the intense confrontation with Vekic.
Paolini has had an incredible year. She lost to world number one Iga Swiatek in the Roland Garros Grand Slam final, her first-ever Grand Slam final.
Paolini had not advanced past the second round of any Slam competition prior to this year, despite making it to the Australia Open final 16 in January.
Paolini entered the competition having never won at the All England Club, but she has since won six matches and lost just two sets.
“For me, the past few months have been insane. It’s a fantasy. When I was younger, I watched the Wimbledon championships,” she remarked.
“You are aware that this is the best position to compete for every ball and every point.
“In the beginning, I was having difficulty. I’m overjoyed since I was serving really poorly. I will always remember this contest.
Vekic suffered from 57 unintentional mistakes, and the semifinal appropriately concluded with another incredible forehand from the unranked Croatian.
During the final set of an intense match, Vekic lost control of her emotions and started crying. She was upset because she had let leads of 3-1 and 4-3 in the previous set slip.
“I was crying because I was hurting so bad. Vekic remarked, “I didn’t know how I could keep playing.”
“In the third set, I thought I was going to die.” I was in excruciating pain in both my arm and leg.
It’s difficult to be upbeat at the moment. It was really near. I had numerous opportunities.
After Barbora Krejcikova defeated 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the second semifinal, Paolini, 28, will play Krejcikova for the title on Saturday.