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Krejcikova captures Wimbledon crown after pipping Paolini to title

Jonathan Davies in Wimbledon 13 Jul 2024
Krejcikova claimed glory at Wimbledon (Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo)

Barbora Krejcikova was crowned the 2024 Wimbledon women’s singles champion on Saturday after defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.

The Czech captured her second major title – adding to her 2021 French Open triumph – as she prevailed in just under two hours on Centre Court.

World number 32 Krejcikova became the second lowest-ranked woman to lift the Venus Rosewater dish, after compatriot Marketa Vondrousova (42nd) 12 months ago.

The 28-year-old also followed in Vondrousova’s footsteps by becoming the fifth Czech-born player to win the women’s singles title, after Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna and Petra Kvitova.

For the seventh successive year, there was set to be a new name engraved onto the Venus Rosewater dish.

Both players – who were facing off for the first time in a WTA main draw – had come from behind to see off former champion Elena Rybakina and Donna Vekic in the semi-finals.

Krejcikova – a girls’ doubles champion in 2013 and two-time women’s doubles champion in 2018 and 2022 – settled the quicker of the finalists, breaking in the opening game while winning eight of the first nine points to establish early control.

The Czech broke again in game five and remained dominant on serve to take the opening set.

Paolini, who had never won a main-draw match in her six previous Wimbledon appearances, was appearing in her second successive major final, having been runner-up to Iga Swiatek at last month’s French Open.

The first player ranked outside the top five to achieve that feat in the same year – and first Italian women’s finalist at SW19 – hit back with a vengeance, breaking in game two and the momentum certainly shifted in her favour as she levelled things up.

Both players opened the deciding set with a love hold as the first six games were shared.

Paolini was looking to become the first Italian woman to win a major since Flavia Pennetta’s 2015 US Open triumph, but an untimely double-fault handed the initiative to her opponent.

Krejcikova prepared to serve for game, match and championship at 5-4 up, having dropped just a single point on serve.

A seesaw game ensued as she saw two championship points go begging, while also saving two break points.

But her powerful serve was eventually too strong for Paolini to handle, the Italian’s attempted return well wide and Krejcikova could celebrate adding her name to Wimbledon’s illustrious roll of honour.