Barbora Krejcikova stunned 2022 champion Elena Rybakina to storm through to a maiden Wimbledon final with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 win on Centre Court.
Jasmine Paolini and Donna Vekic had produced a classic in the first women’s semi-final and it was followed by an equally even contest, which went the way of the Czech 31st seed.
Rybakina had been the favourite to win the title again after a string of high-profile exits earlier in the tournament and smashed 19 winners on her way to a one-sided opener.
But former French Open winner Krejcikova, who had triumphed in her two previous meetings with Rybakina, hit back in the second set to force a decider and waited patiently to strike with a break in the seventh game in the third set.
It was enough to send Krejcikova through with victory clinched after a service winner to ensure for an eighth consecutive year a different player will lift the Venus Rosewater Dish at Wimbledon on Saturday.
More to follow…
07:58 PM BST
Wimbledon women’s final
Krejcikova will meet Jasmine Paolini of Italy on Saturday. It promises to be an entertaining match between two players with similar styles. Both are excellent defensively, good at the net and have strong forehands and backhands.
For everything you need to know about the final, click here.
07:40 PM BST
More Krejcikova reaction
A couple of years ago I was working with Jana Novotna, the 1998 Wimbledon winner.
She was telling me a lot of stories about her journey here and how she was trying to win Wimbledon. I was so far away when we had this talk. Now I am here and I am in a final!
I remember thinking about her a lot. I have so many beautiful memories and when I step on the court I fight for every single ball as that is what she would want me to do.
07:34 PM BST
Krejcikova reacts
[It’s] unbelievable. It is very tough to explain, but a lot of joy and a lot of emotions. Also there is a lot of relief and I am super proud!
I am so proud about my game and my fighting spirit today. I was trying to fight for every single ball, during the second set I was getting my momentum and when I broke her I started to be in the zone and I didn’t want to leave the zone.
07:21 PM BST
WATCH: The moment Krejcikova reached the final
07:15 PM BST
Rybakina* 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 Krejcikova
Ideal start for Krejcikova as a first serve down the T is unreturned. Rybakina then makes hers 37th unforced error when she puts a forehand long, 30-0.
Easy overhead smash by Krejcikova, 40-0. Krejcikova first serve, Rybakina backhand return long. GAME SET MATCH KREJCIKOVA!!
07:12 PM BST
Rybakina 6-3, 3-6, 4-5 Krejcikova*
Rybakina does what she needs to do and holds to 15 and makes Krejcikova serve for a place in the final.
Can she do it? Let’s find out!
07:09 PM BST
Rybakina* 6-3, 3-6, 3-5 Krejcikova
Back comes Rybakina with back-to-back forehand winners down the line, 0-30. Brilliant play by Krejcikova to hit back and make it 40-30 with a forehand winner.
And she consolidates the break when Rybakina puts a backhand return wide of the court.
07:05 PM BST
Rybakina 6-3, 3-6, 3-4 Krejcikova*
Brilliant from Krejcikova to place a forehand winner down the line, 0-30. Deep Krejcikova forehand and Rybakina can’t get the ball back into play, two break points.
Krejcikova does well to stay in the rally, Rybakina unable to break through hits a desperate drop shot and nets. Krejcikova breaks! Huge moment in the match.
07:01 PM BST
Rybakina* 6-3, 3-6, 3-3 Krejcikova
Another Krejcikova service hold to 30. Rybakina keeps getting looks at a break by Krejcikova snuffs out the danger impressively.
06:56 PM BST
Rybakina 6-3, 3-6, 3-2 Krejcikova*
No returns back into play by Krejcikova and Rybakina holds to love. As easy as it gets.
06:54 PM BST
Rybakina* 6-3, 3-6, 2-2 Krejcikova
Krejcikova is looking increasingly comfortable on serve and she levels up with a hold to 15.
06:52 PM BST
‘Krejcikova is beginning to find her backhand’
A definite pick-up in interest around Centre Court now. There’s a lot more texture to the match than there was in the opening set in particular, with both players varying their tactics and Krejcikova beginning to find her backhand down the line. Rybakina has looked all but untouchable in this tournament but she is being challenged here. Even so, she remains the favourite, because of her much bigger game.
06:51 PM BST
Rybakina 6-3, 3-6, 2-1 Krejcikova*
A service game from Rybakina that was much more like the first set as she races to 40-0 with a backhand winner. Krejcikova takes the game to 40-30 but a backhand winner by Rybakina seals the game.
With Rybakina serving first in this match, scoreboard pressure may become a key element of the set.
06:48 PM BST
Rybakina* 6-3, 3-6, 1-1 Krejcikova
Rybakina continues to find herself well into Krejcikova’s service games but the Czech keeps on finding a way to survive at the moment. How will it last you wonder? I’m not sure.
But for now Krejcikova is doing everything right and she holds to 30.
06:45 PM BST
Third Set: Rybakina 6-3, 3-6, 1-0 Krejcikova*
Rybakina doesn’t show too much emotion but she must be very surprised to be in this situation after the way the first set played out. But credit to Krejcikova who has stayed the course and made life difficult for the former champion.
Rybakina holds to 30 to start the decisive set.
06:37 PM…
The Telegraph
