Barbora Krejcikova (No. 31) staged a
remarkable comeback against Elena Rybakina (No. 4), winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to
reach the Wimbledon final for the first time in her career. The 28-year-old
Czech unexpectedly returns to a Grand Slam final and will look to replicate her
2021 French Open title on Sunday when she faces Jasmine Paolini.
It hadn’t been a positive season for
Krejcikova, with a poor 7-9 record. This week, she has already secured six
consecutive wins on a surface that had never given her great results and has
ensured her return to the top-15 in the WTA rankings.
The first set seemed to indicate an
uncomplicated day for the Kazakh, as she took two consecutive breaks early on,
dominating the points with her forehand, and the game was almost exclusively
dictated by Rybakina, who alternated between winners and unforced errors.
Krejcikova found her form at 0-4 down, starting to loosen her shots and showing
more intent.
The Czech recovered one of the
breaks but then lost her third consecutive service game. Despite the former
French Open champion managing to close the gap with a final break, Rybakina
finished the set with her serve at 6-3. Most of the set was defined by Rybakina’s
shot quality, with 19 winners and 15 unforced errors against Krejcikova’s 3 and
7, respectively.
In the second set, Krejcikova was
visibly comfortable on the court, being more aggressive by frequently
approaching the net (7/9) and maintaining a good first serve effectiveness
(74%), winning 69% of those points. The Czech faced break points against her in
her first three service games but came through unscathed, while she capitalized
on her first break opportunity in the sixth game to gain the advantage.
Once the former world No. 2 took the
lead, she dominated the set, not giving her opponent any more break chances.
Although she maintained a strong serve, she struggled to close the set,
squandering five set points on her serve before finally sealing it 6-3.
The third set was highly tense, with
both players being dominant on their service turns. Rybakina conceded a couple
of opportunities to Krejcikova in the seventh game, which was enough for the
Czech to take the lead. After gaining the upper hand, Krejcikova proved to be a
player made for big moments, maintaining her composure until the end and
closing the match with her serve at 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Krejcikova will seek her second
Grand Slam title on Saturday against Jasmine Paolini (No. 7), who became the
first player to reach consecutive Roland Garros and Wimbledon finals since
Serena Williams in 2016. The Italian defeated Donna Vekic (No. 37) and will aim
to secure her first Slam title this time.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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