Paolini wins epic Wimbledon semifinal
In the Wimbledon semifinals, Jasmine Paolini of Italy faces setbacks but makes it to the final. It's her second chance for her first Grand Slam title. Donna Vekic of Croatia loses control of her emotions before the match even begins.
Next title opportunity for late bloomer Jasmine Paolini: Shortly after her loss in the final of the French Open, the Italian reached the final of Wimbledon. The 28-year-old fought her way through the semifinals on Thursday of the grass-court classic, 2:6, 6:4, 7:6 (10:8), against a tearful Donna Vekic.
After 2 hours and 51 minutes, Paolini converted her third match point - it was the longest women's semifinal in Wimbledon history. "I will always remember this match," said Paolini: "It was really challenging, a rollercoaster of emotions. The last few months have been crazy for me, I'm enjoying the moment." In her tennis-success-loving homeland, Paolini is rising to become a star player. "Jasmine, you're amazing," wrote "Gazzetta dello Sport". "Tuttosport" already calls her "legendary".
At a sunny afternoon following rainy Wimbledon days, Vekic dominated first with her powerful play. Before 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 had taken a break from tennis before the French Open, couldn't make use of her lead from the first set or her leads in the third set. The 1.63-meter tall Italian fought back and had already had match points at 5:4 and 6:5. But only in the tiebreak could she hold her ground.
Paolini, who will crack the Top 5 in the world rankings after the tournament, faces the Kasakhstan's Elena Rybakina or the Czech Barbora Krejcikova in the final on Saturday. She prepares to be the third Italian player, after Francesca Schiavone in Paris in 2010 and Flavia Pennetta in New York in 2015, to win a Major title.
Vekic's chance for a major coup was also denied at her 43rd attempt. Since the start of the professional era in 1968, only three other players have participated in Majors more frequently and then reached their first final at the highest level. Paolini also had to wait a long time. The athlete from Tuscany had never made it past the second round in 16 appearances on the Grand Slam stage before this year. She changed that with her appearance in the quarterfinals in Melbourne, followed by her loss in the final at Roland Garros against Iga Swiatek. Now she has another chance for a great triumph.
Paolini's Wimbledon victory places her among Italian tennis legends. Following her loss at the French Open, she shifted her focus to the sport of tennis and now has another opportunity to claim a Grand Slam title, this time at Wimbledon.
Engaging in a thrilling semifinal match, Paolini defeated Donna Vekic in the longest women's semifinal in Wimbledon history, showcasing her tenacity and love for the game of tennis.
