Tennis - Longest Semifinal: Paolini reaches Wimbledon final
In the longest Women's Semifinal in tournament history, Jasmine Paolini became the first Italian tennis player to reach the Wimbledon Final. In a tough and nerve-wracking duel, the 28-year-old Italian fought back against the Croatian Donna Vekic despite losing the first set 6-2.
Paolini overcame her deficit in the third set and kept her composure in the Tiebreak. After 2 hours and 51 minutes, she converted her third match point. The first Italian tennis player since US Star Serena Williams reached the Wimbledon Final after the French Open in 2016. Williams had reached the Wimbledon Final shortly after the Paris Final.
"I will always remember this match. The last months have been crazy for me," said Paolini, who was previously the first Italian Wimbledon Semifinalist: "It's a dream." On Saturday, she can crown her rise with her first Grand Slam Title against the Kazakhstani World No. 4 Elena Rybakina or the Czech Barbora Krejcikova.
Vekic dominates first
On a sunny afternoon after rainy Wimbledon days, Vekic dominated with her powerful play. In front of around 15,000 spectators on Centre Court, she won the first set for herself with two breaks at 3-2 and 5-2.
Vekic, who took a break from tennis right before the French Open, couldn't make use of her lead in the third set or her advantages in the third set. The 1.63m tall Italian kept fighting back and had match points at 5-4 and 6-5. But only in the Tiebreak could she finally hold on.
Paolini's impressive season
Paolini's rise to the top reads impressively. Before the 2024 season, the Italian had not advanced beyond the second round at any Grand Slam tournament. Now, just over a month after her loss in the Paris Final against the Pole Iga Swiatek, she has a second chance at a Grand Slam Title. In Wimbledon, she had previously failed to win a main draw match in three attempts.
Paolini's success at Wimbledon has garnered international attention, with tennis enthusiasts in the United Kingdom and beyond eagerly following her progress. In fact, her semifinal victory against Vekic was watched by fans in Germany, where tennis is also a popular sport. Despite the pressure, Paolini remains focused, drawing inspiration from Serena Williams' historic victories at Wimbledon and the French Open.
Vekic, meanwhile, showcased her skills in the opening set, demonstrating why she's a formidable opponent. Her powerful play on Centre Court echoed the style of tennis players from around the world, including those from Paris, where Roland Garros is held. Despite the loss, Vekic can take pride in her performance, having reached the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the second time in her career.
As for Paolini, she's now set to face either Rybakina or Krejcikova in the Wimbledon Final. Regardless of who her opponent is, the Endgame promises to be an exciting spectacle, with fans from around the world tuning in to witness history being made. Whether in London or Paris, or any other International tennis venue, tennis lovers are always eager to witness the best of the sport, and Paolini's journey to the Wimbledon Final has certainly added to their excitement.
