Jasmine Paolini fought off two match points before falling 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in the final as Babora Krejcikova won her second grand Slam title with a Wimbledon victory on Saturday.
The Czech who was inspired by 1998 Wimbledon winner and late mentor Jana Novotna, destroyed the dream of Italy’s Paolini, runner-up at both Roland Garros and SW 19 in the space of a month this summer..
Krejcikova added All England Club honours to her Paris Grand Slam title of 2021. She is the second Czech in as many editions to lift the trophy here after Marketa Vondrousova a year ago.
Paolini, a crowd favourite for her fighting spirit and constant smile, had been hoping to become the first Italian player to ever win Wimbledon.
Krejcikova had to fight her way to victory in the final game of the two-hour final as Paolini lost serve for 3-4 in the deciding set on a double-fault after being distracted on the previous point by a line call challenge.
Two games later, Krejikova needed three match points to finally hoist the trophy after two hours as she sent over a service winner which Paolini could not handle.
“I don’t have any words, it’s just unreal what happened,” the winner said. “This is the best day of my tennis career, the best day of my life.
“We were fighting for every single ball, at the end I was the lucky one. It’s amazing what Jasmine has achieved since the Roland Garros title.”
Krejcikova admitted to nerves in the tight final game. “I was telling myself to be brave, it was such a difficult match but I enjoyed the final so much.
“I’m super-happy to be standing here enjoying this moment.”
She added: “No one in the Czech Republic will believe I won Wimbledon. I was injured before and did not have a good start to the season.
“Now I’m standing here as a Wimbledon winner – what happened? I have no idea.”
Paolini did not lose her smile despite defeat, with the Italian charming Centre Court fans.
“Barbora played such a beautiful tennis, she was incredible. “The last two months have been incredible for me, thanks to my team and my family. They always believed in me,” she said to a crowd which included Tom Cruise, Maria Sharapova and Martina Navratilova in the Royal Box.
.Paolini admitted: “Today I’m a little bit sad. “But I try to keep smiling.
“Today was still a good day, I did the final at Wimbledon . I remember watching as a kid and cheering for federer.
“To be here now is crazy, it’s been two beautiful weeks. I may have forgotten someone (in her list of thanks), but please don’t me mad with me.”
Krejcikova was the fifth Czech player to play a Wimbledon final after Novotna, Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova and Vondrousova –
Main photo:- Barbora Krejikova shows the Venus Rosewater dish to thje spectators from the Members balcony – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
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