Championship Saturday at Wimbledon is here, and for the eighth consecutive tournament, dating back to 2016 — the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — there will be a different ladies’ singles champion.
No. 31 seed Barbora Krejčíková from Czechia is after her second Grand Slam title, having won the French Open back in 2021. She’ll face off against No. 7 Jasmine Paolini, who’s in search of a first Grand Slam title after being the runner-up at the French Open earlier this year. In addition to being the first Italian woman to make the singles final at the All-England Club, Paolini is also the first woman to make the finals at the French Open and Wimbledon in the same year since Serena Williams accomplished the feat in 2016 (she lost in Paris, but won in London).
Krejčíková bested 2022 champion No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina in her semifinal matchup and Paolini beat unseeded Donna Vekic to make it to Saturday’s final. Both matches were thrilling three-setters, and the Paolini-Vekic match was the longest ladies’ semifinal match in Wimbledon history at 2 hours, 51 minutes.
31. Barbora Krejcikova vs. 7. Jasmine Paolini
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Krejčíková has gone into the stands, embracing her family, who are wrapping her in a multi-person monster hug.
Barbora Krejčíková wins her first Wimbledon title, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4
The 28-year-old Czech player has done it, grabbing her first Wimbledon championship and her first title since 2021.
And she does it! Krejčíková gets Paolini to hit out once again and takes the final game, and the match. Barbora Krejčíková is your 2024 Wimbledon champion.
Krejčíková 6 2 6
Paolini 2 6 4
Another advantage for Krejčíková. Will she make this championship point count?
Paolini gets one past Krejčíková while running around to take advantage, snatching Krejčíková’s championship points away from her. But Krejčíková comes back and slides one down the line to even things out again.
An ace puts Krejčíková on the brink of a championship yet again, but Krejčíková puts it into the net, and brings things back to 40-all.
Krejčíková quickly takes two points, but Paolini comes back and forces a few mistakes to run up the score. With the two 40-40, Krejčíková takes the advantage and the championship point after forcing Paolini to hit past the baseline — one of Paolini’s weak points all game. But Paolini takes the next point and keeps the game going.
Ah, but Paolini takes one back, cutting into Krejčíková’s lead. Krejčíková still has a chance to end things here, but Paolini’s not quite done yet.
Krejčíková 6 2 5
Paolini 2 6 4
Krejčíková has completely turned the tide in her favor, winning her fifth game and standing just one game away from the title. Paolini will need to dig deep to keep this match going.
Krejčíková 6 2 5
Paolini 2 6 3
Krejčíková was poised to take the first break point of the set and gain some momentum, but Paolini holds her off for a moment. Unfortunately for the Italian, a few errors gives Krejčíková the next game and swings it into the Czech player’s favor.
Krejčíková 6 2 4
Paolini 2 6 3
And here’s Krejčíková, taking the next. Things are close, with both players taking advantage of their service in this set.
Krejčíková 6 2 3
Paolini 2 6 3
But it’s an easy win for Paolini, as the two continue to go back and forth.
Krejčíková 6 2 2
Paolini 2 6 3
Krejčíková is gaining confidence again, and takes the game comfortably.
Krejčíková 6 2 2
Paolini 2 6 2
There are a lot of celebrities here — as is typical for Wimbledon finals — including actors Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackson, multi-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova, and actor Zendaya, who has become quite the tennis buff since playing Tashi Duncan in “Challengers.”
Paolini takes the next. Things have evened out in this final set, and are likely to stay close, but for now Paolini has the lead.
Krejčíková 6 2 1
Paolini 2 6 2
But Krejčíková takes one right back, with an ace and a few unforced errors from Paolini. There’s been some good tennis today, but also quite a lot of errors.
Krejčíková 6 2 1
Paolini 2 6 1
Paolini get Krejčíková off her feet with a few well-placed slices and an ace to easily grab the first game of the set. Things are off to a good start for the Italian.
Krejčíková 6 2 0
Paolini 2 6 1
Alright, here we go — the final set. The winner of this set will take their first Wimbledone championship.
Krejčíková slowed down this set, with her energy low after dominating the first. Even with Paolini making errors, she was able to push Krejčíková into making mistakes of her own and takes the second set with some ease. Paolini has found a rhythm and some extra confidence, and has the benefit of having the crowd on her side.
Paolini completely turns things around to take the second set, forcing Krejčíková to hit out of bounds in the set point and taking the set for herself. We’re moving on to a deciding set.
Krejčíková 6 2
Paolini 2 6
Even with Krejčíková getting her moving across the court, Paolini has been pulling out some incredibly impressive points, and uses it to take her fifth game. She’s now within a game of taking the second set.
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