Krejcikova beat Paolini to win 2024 Wimbledon women's singles title

Resurgent Barbora Krejcikova claims Wimbledon crown against Jasmine Paolini

After the first two sets of the Wimbledon women’s singles final, it was anybody’s guess who would take the crown.

Barbora Krejcikova (UTR Rating 12.38) overpowered Jasmine Paolini (12.74) in the opener and looked well on her way to the trophy. But then the second set was all Paolini, playing in her second consecutive Slam final.

In a more settled third set, it was Krejcikova who struck first, breaking at the 3-3 mark. The Czech, ranked No. 32 in the world, held on for the 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory.

It’s an underdog triumph for Krejcikova, as UTR INSIGHTS gave Paolini a 69 percent win probability ahead of the match.

It is the second major singles title for the 2021 Roland Garros champion, who also holds seven Slam championships in women’s doubles.

“I don’t have any words right now, it’s just unreal what just happened,” Krejcikova said during the on-court trophy ceremony. “Definitely the best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life.”

Serving at 5-4 in the third set, Krejcikova saved two break points in the back-and-forth game as the No. 7-ranked Paolini battled to stay in the match. Finally, on her third championship point, Krejcikova hit an unreturnable serve.

 

“I was just telling myself to be brave and if the game doesn’t go, it’s five-all and we continue,” she said. “It was such a difficult match, such a great final, such a great competition, and I enjoyed it so much.”

It’s a resurgence for Krejcikova, whose season so far did not indicate a deep run at Wimbledon was imminent. Outside of three quarterfinal appearances – at the Australian Open, WTA 500 Abu Dhabi, and WTA 250 Birmingham – she had lost in her opening matches six times.

Since her 2021 French Open title, she had made three Slam quarterfinals prior to this fortnight.

En route to the final, Krejcikova ousted world No. 4 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the semifinals 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. She also bested No. 14 Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals and No. 11 Danielle Collins – one of the best players this season – in the fourth round.

For Paolini, it will be a disappointing end to what have truly been two incredible months for her, finishing runner-up at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. She began this season as the world No. 29 who had never advanced past the second round at a Slam.

Her path to the championship match included the longest-ever women’s semifinal at Wimbledon – a 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(10) triumph over Donna Vekic in two hours and 51 minutes. Vekic, ranked world No. 37, was playing in her maiden Slam semifinal.

Paolini, the first Italian woman to make the Wimbledon singles final, also took down No. 17 Emma Navarro in the quarters and No. 13 Madison Keys in the round of 16.

Playing superb tennis, Paolini’s rise this year has been extraordinary, and she looks likely to have more deep Slam runs ahead of her.

But Saturday was ultimately Krejcikova’s day to celebrate, and it was one well-earned.

More of UTR Sports' Wimbledon coverage:

Back to blog