It was a record-breaking semi-final Wimbledon will not forget.
Two hours and 51 minutes of brilliant sporting drama as Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini defeated unseeded Donna Vekic 2-6 6-4 7-6 (10-8) in the longest women’s semi-final in the tournament’s history.
Paolini had never won a match here before July. She has now won six in a row, but none more nerve-wracking than this.
After losing a bruising opening set, Paolini was in trouble. At 4-3 and a break down in the final set, Vekic was two games from glory, despite being hampered by an injury to her right arm.
Paolini fought back and had two match points as the rollercoaster contest entered its fittingly dramatic conclusion.
In a thrilling 10-point tie-break, Paolini trailed 3-1, 6-5 and 8-7 but, to the delight of a thrilled Centre Court, the hugely popular Italian, with a never-say-die attitude, sealed a remarkable win.
“It’s incredible when you’re able to witness two athletes giving their absolute all, leaving everything on the court,” said 2021 champion Ash Barty on BBC TV.
“The uncertainty, the unpredictability of sport – it can be crushing but it can be so euphoric as well, and that’s what we’ve seen.
“It has to be exhausting going through that emotional rollercoaster.
“On one side of the net it’s the crushing defeat, it’s demoralising and then for Jasmine Paolini it’s the euphoria of being in a Wimbledon final. Sport is cruel, isn’t it?”
Cruel. Enthralling. Unmissable. Remarkable.
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