Elena Rybakina aims for her second Wimbledon title as she prepares to face Barbora Krejcikova in the semifinals, armed with her formidable serve that has delivered a tournament-best 31 aces and a mere six service breaks against her. The Russian-born Kazakh, seeded fourth, has breezed through matches, spending just over six hours on court and unleashing 134 winners.
Reflecting on her 2022 triumph, Rybakina expressed joy in reliving those memories and cherishing each moment on court when she plays well. In contrast, Krejcikova, the 2021 French Open champion, has endured a tougher path to her first Wimbledon semifinal, including a marathon three-hour, 14-minute match in the opening round against Veronika Kudermetova. Overcoming injury and a winless streak earlier this year, the Czech 31st seed has shown resilience on her journey to this stage.
In the other semifinal clash, Jasmine Paolini continues her breakthrough season at Wimbledon, having previously struggled to advance past the second round in 16 Grand Slam appearances. The Italian, standing at 1.63 meters, credits her coach's belief in her grass-court potential despite her initial doubts. Paolini has excelled in breaking opponents' serves, a skill she'll need against Donna Vekic, who herself is in her first Grand Slam semifinal after 43 attempts, supported by the experience of coach Pam Shriver, a former three-time semifinalist.
Vekic, known for her powerful serve with 28 aces in the tournament so far, values Shriver's guidance in crucial moments and relishes having such an experienced figure in her corner. Both matches promise thrilling encounters as these players vie for a spot in the Wimbledon final, showcasing their resilience and determination on the prestigious grass courts.
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