Krejcikova triumphs over Paolini to claim Wimbledon singles title

LONDON: In a thrilling finale on a sunlit Centre Court, Barbora Krejcikova secured her maiden Wimbledon singles title by defeating Italian crowd favorite Jasmine Paolini with a score of 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 on Saturday.

The Czech doubles specialist started strong, delivering a near-flawless performance in the first set. However, Paolini, the seventh seed, mounted a stunning comeback in the second set, showcasing her resilience and forcing the match into a decisive third set.

As momentum seemed to favor Paolini, a pivotal moment arrived when Krejcikova, seeded 31st, broke Paolini’s serve at 3-3, capitalizing on a double-fault. Serving for the championship at 5-4, Krejcikova faced intense pressure, squandering two match points and fending off two break points. She finally clinched the victory on her third match point.

Reflecting on the nerve-wracking conclusion, Krejcikova shared, “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.” Her triumph was witnessed by the legendary Czech-born nine-time singles champion Martina Navratilova, adding an extra layer of significance to her victory.