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2 months ago
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Barbora Krejcikova held her nerve to survive a sensational comeback from Jasmine Paolini and claim the Wimbledon women's singles title.
The 28-year-old won the second Grand Slam of her career after her French Open triumph in 2021.
A fascinating encounter ended 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 as SW19 saw a new champion for the seventh year running.
'Definitely the best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life,' the Czech star summarised as she soaked up the applause of Centre Court.
In a rip-roaring first set, Krejcikova dominated Paolini with a flurry of crushing forehands and her superb versatility of shots.
Barbara Krejcikova put in an impressive display to win the Wimbledon women's singles title
The Czech star has lifted her second Grand Slam title, having previously won the French Open
Krejcikova was formidable in the first set as she blazed her way to a 6-2 advantage early on
Jasmine Paolini came out fighting in the second set and won it by the same scoreline
The Czech star broke the Italian twice and had a 90 per cent fist serve percentage as she took the first set in just 35 minutes.
But, after a seemingly magical toilet break, Paolini came out with renewed confidence and took the first three games of the second set as the match looked unrecognisable.
Coming further inside the court helped Paolini gain control of the match and she, too, broke her opponent twice on her way to a 6-2 thumping set victory.
A match that looked like it was going to be over in a flash after the first set had assumed a compelling new complexion as Paolini entered the final set in the ascendancy.
Both stars were on serve for the first six games of the final set until Krejcikova took the seventh game following a double fault from Paolini.
The Italian was regretting that error as Krejcikova went on to win her next service game to make it 5-3.
Paolini did her job to take her next service game and made things hard in the final skirmish, taking Krejcikova to deuce four times, but the Czech star fought through to make history.
For Paolini, it is a second successive Grand Slam final defeat after the French Open.
The third set was much closer-fought as both players held their serve - until Krejcokova found a breakthrough in the seventh game, waiting until the opportune time to clinch the victory
Italian tennis star Paolini was devastated after losing her second consecutive Grand Slam final
Meanwhile, Krejcikova celebrated with her family and called Saturday the 'best day of her life'
Zendaya Coleman took her seat in the crowd as Centre Court watched a thrilling match
Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale were also spotted in the crowd for the three-set match
Yet she has made history in her own right. She battled through the longest women's semi-final at Wimbledon ever to reach this stage, becoming the first Italian woman to get this far in the process.
Krejcikova said: 'I don't have any words. It's unreal what just happened. Definitely the best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life.
'It's super difficult to explain what I'm feeling right now. I would like to congratulate Jasmine and her team. We were fighting for every single ball and in the end I was the lucky one.
'I was just telling myself to be brave. It was such a difficult match, a great final, a great competition. I'm super happy that I'm standing here and can enjoy this moment.'
'The last two months have been crazy for me and I wasn to thank my team, my family, everyone who is there. They always support me and believe in me and without them I wouldn't be here,' Paolini said.
'The crowd has been incredible. I enjoyed it so much.'
Famous faces had watched on from the Centre Court stands as Hugh Jackman, Zendaya Coleman, Kate Beckinsale, Ellie Goulding, Pierce Brosnan, and more took their seats.
English (US)