JASMINE PAOLINI, the bold Italian who until last week had never won a match at Wimbledon, reached the final after a dramatic victory over Donna Vekic today.

The 28-year-old seventh seed edged a semi-final for the ages 2-6 6-4 7-6 (10/8) after a heart-stopping match tie-break.

Unseeded Vekic, also 28 and playing in her first grand slam final, was in tears at times during a deciding set of unimaginable twists and turns.