Krejcikova is Wimbledon champion after three-set win over crowd favourite Paolini on Centre Court

By Charlie Stong on Centre Court at Wimbledon
Ladies’ Singles Final
Barbora Krejcikova (Cze, 31) bt Jasmine Paolini (Ita, 7) 6-2, 2-6, 6-4

Barbora Krejcikova became the fourth Czech woman to win the Ladies’ Singles title at Wimbledon, beating Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 in a fabulous final on Centre Court lasting just under two hours.

Krejcikova follows in the footsteps of her hero – the late Jana Novotna, who won here in 1998, as well as Petra Kvitova who claimed the title in 2011 and 2014 – and Marketa Vondrousova, last year’s unseeded champion.

Krejcikova started quickly, breaking Paolini in the opening game, before comfortably holding to love.

The Italian, who the majority of the Centre Court crowd had chosen as their favourite, was forced to save break points again in her second service game.

And despite being sent scampering round the court by the Czech woman, the number seven seed did manage to hold to get herself on the scoreboard.

Paolini forced Krejcikova to deuce in her next service game, but Krecikova’s powerful serve was holding firm and she led 3-1- then broke again for 4-1 as Paolini netted a relatively simple backhand.

Paolini was forced to serve to stay in the set soon after at 1-5 and did manage to do so, but it was becoming apparent that if the Italian was to get back into the match, she would need to start getting more first serves in. Her second serve speeds were down in the late 70s mph.

However the first set had gone – Krejcikova racing to 40-0 – and three set points – in her next service game. Her power was just too much for Paolini at this stage, the Italian netting from the baseline to hand over the set 6-2.

But Paolini is a fighter. She held comfortably in the opening game of the second set before scampering after Krejicova’s ground strokes like her life depended on it in the next game – the first in which she managed to break the Czech woman’s serve.

The Centre Court crowd, including queens of this grand arena Martina Navratilova and Billie Jean King, who watched on from the Royal Box, now had the final they craved.

Paolini was pushed in the next game but managed to hold to consolidate her break – and move into a 3-0 lead in the set.

For the first time nerves appeared to be getting to Krejcikova, who fell behind 0-30 in the next game, serving a double fault after appearing to toss the ball too far behind her to hit comfortably.

Paolini brought up two break points for the double break, but Krejcikova managed to hold for 3-1.

However Paolini seemed to be getting to everything now. She managed somehow to half-volley a smash from Krejcicova back over the net, before winning the point with a passing shot – then forced Krejcikova into two unforced errors on her way to a lead of 5-2.

A successful challenge gave Paolini three set points in the next game and, when Krejcikova hit a forehand wide, we were level at one set all.

The first break point of the decider came on the serve of Paolini at 3-3, Krejcikova hitting a fine cross-court forehand to bring up 30-40. But Paolini fought hard again, taking the next point after a long rally.

However she then hit a forehand long, giving her opponent a second chance to break – and then double faulted at the worst possible moment, to leave Krejcikova a break up at 4-3. The winning line was in sight for the Czech player.

And if there were nerves from Krejcikova, they were being well disguised – she served out the next game to love, forcing Paolino to serve to stay in the match. A task she managed.

And so Krejcikova was to serve for the title. She moved 30-0 up but got tight and served a double fault for 30-15, before hitting long for 30-30.

The crowd roared on their favourite, and Paolini hung on to force a break-point thanks to another unforced error from Krejcikova.

A fine volley at the net from the Czech brought up deuce, before a wide forehand from the Italian gave Krejcikova match point. But she hit a backhand wide for deuce again.

Paolini then produced a superb forehand to bring up break point. But back came Krejcikova with a forehand winner for deuce number three – and an ace for match point number two.

A backhand slice into the net from Krejcikova gave Paolini deuce number four, but when Paolini returned a second serve into the net it was match point number three.

And Paolini could resist no more – unable to return one last powerhouse serve from the Czech.

Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with the trophy on Centre Court (Picture: PA)