Czechia's Barbora Krejčíková blows a kiss after defeating Italy's Jasmine Paolini in three sets in the Wimbledon women's final on Saturday. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
It was another tight one on Championship Saturday at Wimbledon, with Czechia's Barbora Krejčíková and Italy's Jasmine Paolini playing for the title. Both players were competing for their first Wimbledon title, but in the end it was Krejčíková who took the victory, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4.
Krejčíková dominated the first set, but seemed to lose her confidence in the second. Paolini, buoyed by the crowd, took advantage of the Czech player's waning energy to take the second set. The third was a much tighter set, with the two trading games, but Krejčíková pulled away to take the lead and eventually the match.
It was a match filled with unforced errors on both sides, but Krejčíková played better tennis and took the win as a result.
Krejčíková's victory marks the eighth consecutive tournament, dating back to 2016 — the 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic — with a different ladies' singles champion. The win also marked Krejčíková's second Grand Slam title after winning the French Open in 2021.
Krejčíková bested 2022 champion and No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, while 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.
LIVE COVERAGE IS OVER40 updates
Kari Anderson
Krejčíková, meanwhile, seems overwhelmed, and overjoyed, by her win. Her genuine disbelief has charmed the crowd.
"I still cannot believe it," she said, calling it "the best day of my life."
Paolini says that "today is still a good day" even with the loss. She congratulates Krejčíková for the win, and says that she is proud of her recent achievements — appearances at the Wimbledon final and the French Open final last month.
"I have to keep smiling" 😄
Even in defeat, Jasmine Paolini can't help but smile 🥹
Krejčíková receives her trophy as well, holding it up for the crowd.
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The crowd is going wild for Paolini as she receives her runner-up trophy. This has been Paolini's second-ever Grand Slam final, after reaching the French Open final last month, but losing handily to Iga Swiatek.
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Krejčíková has gone into the stands, embracing her family and her team, who are wrapping her in a multi-person monster hug.
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.
Another advantage for Krejčíková. Will she make this championship point count?
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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.
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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.
Kari Anderson
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Krejčíková is gaining confidence again, and takes the game comfortably.
Krejčíková 6 2 2
Paolini 2 6 2
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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
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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
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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
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Alright, here we go — the final set. The winner of this set will take their first Wimbledone championship.
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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.
Kari Anderson
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.
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.
Krejčíková 6 2
Paolini 2 5
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Krejčíková gets one back, making Paolini's lead less secure.
Krejčíková 6 2
Paolini 2 4
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Paolini takes the next with a few well-placed shots. She's playing smarter, and is having more success when she keeps her shots close to the net and the line.
Krejčíková 6 1
Paolini 2 4
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Paolini starts another game strong, but lets Krejčíková catch up yet again. The 28-year-old Italian has had trouble keeping from making mistakes — especially hitting into the net. Krejčíková makes her pay for it, and takes her first game of the second set.
Krejčíková 6 1
Paolini 2 3
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Paolini starts the next game strong, but lets Krejčíková catch up with a few errors before fighting back to take the game. There isn't much room for mistakes in this matchup — both players are happy to take advantage of their opponent's mis-hits.
Krejčíková 6 0
Paolini 2 3
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And another for Paolini, who is turning the tide against Krejčíková after that tough first set. The crowd is really feeling it now.
Krejčíková 6 0
Paolini 2 2
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Paolini comes out of the break with some renewed vigor, and takes the first game of the set. The heavily pro-Paolini crowd is pleased with that win.
Krejčíková 6 0
Paolini 2 1
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Set point for Krejčíková, and she forces Paolini to run and eventually put the ball into the net. A strong showing from the Czech player to take the first set and set up a strong lead.
Paolini gets the first ace of the match, and pulls a few rare errors out of Krejčíková to win her second game. Krejčíková can take the set with another win, but Paolini draws the set out for at least one more game.
Krejčíková 5
Paolini 2
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And Krejčíková takes yet another game, off a ball that barely grazed the baseline. She's been placing the ball well so far, taking advantage of first serves and beating Paolini on points.
Krejčíková 5
Paolini 1
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Krejčíková takes another game, forcing Paolini to hit into the net and expanding her lead.
Krejčíková 4
Paolini 1
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Krejčíková starts the game strong, but lets Paolini creep up to force an advantage. Krejčíková takes the game in part off of an impressive rally, with Paolini running all over the court to keep the ball alive before Krejčíková delivers a death blow to the far left corner.
Krejčíková 3
Paolini 1
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Paolini fight back to take her first game, with some effective dropshots offsetting some of her errors, after hitting it past the baseline multiple times. This was the longest point yet, with the two trading advantages and rallies before Paolini broke through.
Krejčíková 2
Paolini 1
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Krejčíková looks strong already: She takes the second game easily, and gives herself a quick lead.
Krejčíková 2
Paolini 0
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Krejčíková breaks Paolini's serve and takes the first game.
Krejčíková 1
Paolini 0
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Krejčíková and Paolini are both 28, and are both relatively unadorned — Paolini does not have any Grand Slam wins, while Krejčíková has one, a French Open title in 2021.
Paolini, ranked No. 7, had never won a match on the Wimbledon grass before this tournament, but has moved well through the field, defeating Donna Vekić in a marathon semifinal.
Krejčíková outlasted Elena Rybakina to win her semifinal after losing the first set; this is her first Wimbledon final as well.
Good morning, and welcome to the first Wimbledon final of the weekend. Barbora Krejčíková and Jasmine Paolini are set and ready to go.
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