Barbora Krejcikova triumphed over crowd favorite Jasmine Paolini to win the Wimbledon singles title on Saturday, securing a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory on Centre Court under a clear sky.
Krejcikova, predominantly known for her success in doubles, dominated the first set with an almost flawless performance. However, Paolini staged a remarkable comeback in the second set, pushing the match into a decisive third set.
Seventh seed Paolini seemed to have the momentum, but 31st seed Krejcikova gained the upper hand after breaking serve at 3-3 following a double fault from Paolini. Serving for the championship at 5-4, Krejcikova held her nerve despite squandering two match points and saving two break points, ultimately clinching the victory on her third match point.
“I was just telling myself to be brave, and if the game doesn’t go my way, it’s still 5-5, and we continue,” said Krejcikova, who was watched by Czech-born nine-time singles champion Martina Navratilova. Before receiving the trophy, the 28-year-old paid tribute to her friend and mentor, fellow Brno native Jana Novotna, the 1998 Wimbledon champion who passed away in 2017.
“Jana told me I have potential and that I should turn pro. Before she passed away, she told me to go and win a Grand Slam,” said Krejcikova. She now adds the Wimbledon title to her 2021 French Open triumph and holds 10 Grand Slam doubles titles, including two at Wimbledon.
While Krejcikova celebrated her victory, it was a disappointing day for Paolini, who was aiming to become the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles title after losing the French Open final only a few weeks ago. “Today I am a little bit sad. I try to keep smiling because I have to remember today is still a good day, I made the final of Wimbledon,” said Paolini, whose cheerful and lively personality had endeared her to the crowd during the tournament.
Krejcikova aimed to continue the tradition of Czech-born Wimbledon champions, following Marketa Vondrousova’s victory last year, and began in commanding fashion by breaking serve in the first game and holding a 2-0 lead. Despite Paolini’s spirited effort and exceptional court coverage in the next game, Krejcikova held for 3-1.
Although Paolini tried to rally herself, another dropped service game quickly saw Krejcikova clinch the first set in 35 minutes. Paolini took a brief break off the court and returned with renewed determination, quickly shifting the momentum and taking a 3-0 lead with some impressive winners.
Krejcikova seemed to struggle with consecutive double faults, but she managed to steady herself, avoiding a further slip. However, Paolini continued to ride the wave of crowd support, extending the match to a deciding set.
Paolini appeared poised to join the list of Italian Grand Slam singles champions, but Krejcikova’s experience shone through in the decider. She fired down five aces and capitalized on a crucial moment when Paolini faltered at 3-3, which proved to be decisive.
Barbora Krejcikova persevered and ultimately emerged victorious at Wimbledon, adding yet another title to her impressive career.