Paolini puts himself before the drama and drowns the 'Vekic' tsunami

Mónica Barberán Munera | 11 Jul 2024 | 17.30

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Jasmine Paolini will step into a Grand Slam final for the second consecutive time after overcoming one of the most dramatic matches of Wimbledon so far. The Italian managed to stay afloat in a true thriller where she pushed Donna Vekic to the limit. With a score of 2-6 6-4 7-6(8), Paolini showed patience to come back against the Croatian who ended up enduring all the tension of the moment. Things were far from clear as the match could have gone either way due to the equal fight until the end. However, it was the Italian who brought out that characteristic smile we have come to expect, setting up a meeting with Elena Rybakina or Barbora Krejcikova.

If you had to put a name to the first set of the match, it would undoubtedly be Donna Vekic's. The Croatian displayed great authority against the Italian, who had already struggled to get a foothold in the set while serving. She faced her opponent's unwavering confidence, hitting nearly unstoppable forehands that made Paolini chase throughout the set. Vekic's soaring confidence only grew, attacking the Italian's second serves effectively and staying well inside the court. An aggressive Vekic kept putting pressure on Paolini, who quickly found herself two breaks down.

She had no choice but to keep fighting, yet the Croatian outplayed her in all aspects: strong serves and precise volleys. Furthermore, her opponent's consistency only led to a flurry of errors, leaving her unable to turn the situation around. Paolini struggled without her first serves, finding it challenging to counter Vekic's power. Thus, claiming the first set, Vekic closed it without allowing her opponent to score a single point.

Italian Fights Back Into the Game

The second set marked a change in dynamics with a more relaxed Paolini who increased aggression with her backhand, much-needed to unsettle a stronger opponent. The Italian was brave, taking more risks to turn the match around. However, she continued to feel pressure on her second serves as the Croatian was effectively attacking. Nevertheless, her bravery paid off as she gradually improved her service game. On the other hand, Vekic kept pushing, albeit somewhat less comfortably than in the first set due to her opponent's rising confidence.

Now playing more playfully, the Italian forced her opponent to stay alert against the mounting pressure, which was starting to affect the Croatian. The game leveled out considerably with a more aggressive Paolini on the return, although still struggling on her own service games as Vekic refused to give in. Nevertheless, Vekic began making more errors than in the first set, rushing her drop shots. Thus, the Italian kept pressing until she secured her first break of the entire match, leading to a crucial deciding set.

Emotions Running High

Although Vekic seemed slightly less agile and Paolini had stepped up her game, Vekic began the deciding set with a break. The Italian struggled in all her service games until almost the end of the match. Neither could capitalize on their chances in a match where tension escalated, culminating in tears from Vekic who needed to release all the stress. Both experienced the most thrilling part of the match, needing to resolve the intense tie-break, where they showcased their best shots.

Ultimately, the Italian put the finishing touch to make it to her first Wimbledon final in her career. She will be highly motivated after overcoming this tough test enforced by the Croatian. A beautiful match from both players that raised the level of women's grass court tennis to new heights.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Paolini se antepone al drama y ahoga al tsunami "Vekic"