By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday July 11, 2024

And then there were two.

Much conversation in the leadup to Wimbledon this year was about the fact that a first-time women's singles champion has been crowned in each of the last six years. Make that seven, as No.7-seeded Jasmine Paolini and No.31-seeded Barbora Krejcikova are set to square off for the title at Wimbledon on Saturday.

Wimbledon women's singles champions since 2017:

2017: Garbine Muguruza
2018: Angelique Kerber
2019: Simona Halep
2021: Ashleigh Barty
2022: Elena Rybakina
2023: Marketa Vondrousova

Read on for more about Saturday’s dream final for dreamers...



It’s another improbable final at Wimbledon

We’ve learned over the years that surprises are par for the course on the women’s side at Wimbledon, and some of that has to do with the fact that World No.1 Iga Swiatek isn’t exactly well-versed on the grass at this stage of her career. She was knocked out in the third round this year, opening up the top half of the draw.

Add to that the fact that Aryna Sabalenka had to pull out of the lower half prior to the draw with a shoulder injury and we knew we were going to get a fortnight full of surprises.

But did anybody expect Paolini to back up her surprise trip to the Roland-Garros final with such a command performance? The 28-year-old had never won a tour-level match on grass prior to 2024, but she has parlayed the newfound confidence that comes with reaching a major final into another dream fortnight at Wimbledon. Regardless of what happens on Saturday’s final she’ll be in the Top-5 for the first time next week.

Krejcikova is even more of an unlikely finalist. She was seriously ill with complications from the flu in March and April and had not recovered her form this spring, as she did not win a single match from the end of February through Roland-Garros.

Here is the former World No.2 at Wimbledon, finding her game and looking very much like the 2021 Krejcikova vintage, which won a maiden title at Roland-Garros. She took out the heavy favorite to win it all in the semifinals on Thursday, rallying to defeat 2022 champion Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

What is Paolini doing well?

The Italian is listed at 5’3” and yet she is playing like a powerhouse at Wimbledon. She’s serving with authority, earning free points and dictating the tennis with pace and precision. Her movement and defensive skills are off the charts and she is exhibiting perfect body language. The 28-year-old emanates perpetual positivity and doesn’t seem to be at all affected by the pressure of playing these matches on the biggest stages of the sport.

What is Krejcikova doing well?

The Czech has a very classic, all-court game, and the ability to do pretty much everything well on the court. She can absorb and deflect power, as we saw against Rybakina on Thursday, but she can also rear back and fire penetrating groundstrokes. She’s got great feel for the game, great patience and prudence, and seems to know the right shot for the right time. 

Krejcikova's not a big server, but she was tremendous under pressure on Thursday, with her back against the wall against Rybakina. She made well over 70 percent of first serves in the second and third set as she calmly took the play to the former champion and took her place in the final.

What’s special about both Paolini and Krejcikova right now is that they are both playing with a lot of poise. They don’t seem to get ruffled feathers about anything that happens. Paolini fails to convert two match points in the third set against Vekic in today's first semifinal? No problem, she gets it done in a 10-point tiebreak. Krejcikova gets blown off the court in the first four games against Rybakina? Not to worry, she finds a way back into the match and eventually takes it over.

What Paolini is saying

On what makes her so strong on grass this year: "I think I can hit the ball really, really strong. But also moving for me, it's important. I have to repeat it. I can defend, as well."

On being an inspiration for Italy: I don't want to compare too much because I'm writing my own story, my own career. But I remember the Grand Slam finals that they made. I think it's really important for also the next generation having people that can do great things. They can show you that it's possible. That's really important I think.

Key stats

By reaching the final Paolini has become just the fifth woman to reach finals at both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon in the same season. She joins a lofty list that includes Steffi Graf (1999), Serena Williams (2002, 2015 and 2016), Venus Williams (2002) and Justine Henin (2006).

She’s also the first Italian woman to ever reach the Wimbledon final.

Krejcikova (1-4) defeated a Top-5 player at the majors for the first time when she topped Rybakina in the semifinals.