Jasmine Paolini is on a roll. She’s just the fourth woman to reach the final at the French and Wimbledon in the same year since the turn of the century – the others are Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Venus Williams. The last was Serena (of course) in 2016. From there to the semis at Eastbourne into what she’s achieved over the last fortnight. Sure, there was a bit of luck when Madison Keys had to pull out in their fourth-round clash at 5-5 in the third, but you’ve got to make the most of that and she has.
Her previous match evolved into an epic on Thursday. Up against the unseeded Donna Vekic, down a break in the deciding third set (and a match point) Paolini rode it out, broke back, got to the tie break and eventually won it 10-8. Nearly three hours later, it was the longest women’s Wimbledon semi-final ever played.
Standing at just 5’4”, she loads up her forehand with plenty of topspin and is rapid across the court when under pressure.
A lot of love for the late Jana Novotná. The singles champion here in 1998 (and four-time doubles winner) was Krejcikova’s coach and mentor until she passed away from cancer at age 49 in 2017.
“Couple of years ago I was working with Jana Novotna, she won it here in 1998. At that point she was telling me a lot of stories about her journeys here and how she was trying to win Wimbledon. I was so far [away] when we had this talk and now I’m here and wow, I’m in the final,” said Krejcikova, pausing to gather herself.
“I have so many beautiful memories and when I step on the court here I’m just fighting for every single ball because I’m sure that’s what she would want me to do. I miss her so much.”
Nice stuff on BBC. Their coverage opens up with two Wimbledon: Billie Jean King (six singles wins) and Martina Navratilova (nine!). And they’re actually talking doubles – how it can help the best in the world stay sharp and focused – in the context of Krejcikova’s journey. Navratilova is old-school: “If you’re not fit enough to play doubles as well, you aren’t fit enough to win singles.” And King adds that when she beat Chris Evert in the 1973 final, she was more excited about winning the doubles! And did. Love it.
Here’s a longer preview from SW19, via Tumaini Carayol.
The wonderful world of modern women’s Grand Slam tennis throws up yet another improbable final. In the Czech corner, Barbora Krejcikova. Until deep into her fine career, she was a doubles whiz winning everything going with Katerina Siniakova. But in 2021, that all changed with a barnstorming triumph at Roland Garros. Despite reaching the No2 rank in 2022, until this week the Jana Novotna protege hadn’t made it beyond the quarters of another slam. But holding her nerve to oust No4 seed Elena Rybakina in the semi in a come-from-behind effort, Krejcikova has a prized opportunity to lift another big trophy.
And from Italy, it is the no7 seed Jasmine Paolini. What a 2024 she has enjoyed – the 28-year-old only made it beyond the second round of a major for the first time at Melbourne in January. From there, her run has included the French final (swept away in straight sets by Iga Świątek) now getting to the decider today on grass – a surface she had never won a main-draw match on until this year, thrice bundled out in the opening round at SW19. If the pocket rocket salutes here it would be one of the great tales.
So, there we have it. Oh, the only time these two have met? That was at the 2018 Australian Open qualifying event! How far they have both come. A fun afternoon awaits! Play begins 2pm.