Barbora Krejcikova won Wimbledon for her second grand slam title with a 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Jasmine Paolini in the final on Saturday.

Krejcikova, a 28-year-old from the Czech Republic, had earlier won the French Open in 2021.

She was unseeded in Paris back then and was only the 31st of 32 seeds at the All England Club this time after illness and a back injury had limited her to a 7-9 record entering this tournament.

Krejcikova is the eighth woman to leave Wimbledon as the champion in the past eight editions of the event. Last year’s champion was also from the Czech Republic — the unseeded Marketa Vondrousova. Vondrousova, however, lost in the first round last week.

The seventh-seeded Paolini was the runner-up at the French Open last month and is the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to get to the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season.

Krejcikova shared a warm embrace with Paolini at the net before looking up and blowing a kiss towards the sky.

With the victory, Krejcikova has emulated her late friend, mentor and coach Jana Novotna.

The 1998 Wimbledon champion died from ovarian cancer in 2017 at the age of 49.

In keeping with Wimbledon tradition, Krejcikova clambered up to the players’ box to celebrate with her team and family, many of whom were in tears.

“It’s unreal what just happened,” Krejcikova said in her victory speech. “It’s the best day of my tennis career and the best day of my life.”

The result is a second straight grand slam final defeat for Paolini, who fell to Iga Swiatek in straight sets in last month’s Roland Garros showpiece.

The 28-year-old was bidding to become Italy’s first women’s singles champion at Wimbledon.

With both players being unexpected finalists, it was guaranteed there would be a first-time women’s champion for the seventh Wimbledon in a row.

And after nearly two hours on court, it was Krejcikova’s name that was etched on the Venus Rosewater Dish.

It had been a difficult season for Krejcikova, who had been hampered with a back injury and illness.

Between the end of January’s Australian Open and this Wimbledon, she had played nine singles matches, winning just three. Now she has won seven matches in the space of two weeks.

“I didn’t really have a good beginning to the season. It’s unbelievable I’m standing here now and I’ve won Wimbledon. I have no idea (how it happened).”

Before being presented with the trophy, the 28-year-old also paid tribute to Novotna.

"Jana was the one that told me I have potential and that I should turn pro and before she passed away she told me to go and win a grand slam," said Krejcikova. She also owns 10 grand slam doubles titles (seven women's doubles, three mixed), including two at the All England Club.