The pair go back and forth for 30-30, before Vekic moves ahead. 40-30.

Wow! Paolini with some brilliant running and a great forehand volley, on the stretch, to make it deuce!

Wow again, but for a very different reason! Vekic double-faults to give Paolini break point...

But the Croat saves it with a big serve, and another impressive service gives her game point!

Paolini restores deuce, though, with some more fine running and a clinical backhand winner at the net!

Advantage Vekic again, as Paolini fails to clear the net on a return.

Then a Paolini return floats high and wide! Vekic holds, a chance gone begging for Paolini...

*denotes next server

Paolini saves a break point and holds!

At 15-15, the Croat smashes a forehand winner down the line before hitting a backhand into the net.

But at 30-30, Paolini inexcusably double-faults. The Italian takes a moment to pause behind the baseline and Vekic, in control of the rally that ensues, hits a forehand just long.

Vekic smashes another backhand winner down the line to bring the game back to deuce, but Paolini seals the hold with a deft volley winner and ace down the T!

Paolini just staying in it on the scoreboard!

15-15, as Vekic takes the first point on her serve, before Paolini angles a backhand volley for a winner.

Now 15-30 to Paolini, a look at a break... But she slices a backhand long. 30-30.

Another overhit from Paolini, this time on a topspin forehand. 40-30.

Vekic completes the hold!

No luck for Paolini right now. She clips the tape with a backhand, and it drops on the wrong side of the net – as far as she’s concerned. 0-15.

She restores parity at 15-15, though, as Vekic frames a backhand return well out of court.

Strong hitting and running from Paolini now, as she tries to apply pressure at first, before having to battle to stay in the rally... but she eventually hooks a backhand wide. 15-30.

Paolini looks so frustrated with herself.

But she offers a fist pump after making it 30-30! Vekic applauds as the Italian hits a forehand winner in the corner.

Another pump of the fist! Game point to Paolini. And she holds! The crowd appreciates that.

Another hold to love for Vekic, and she takes the first set!

She’s one away from her first grand slam final...

*denotes next server

Things go from bad to worse for Paolini. She’s facing triple break point...

But she saves the first, as Vekic drags a backhand return well wide. 40-15.

Another saved! Vekic crouches for a forehand but can’t lift it over the net. 40-30.

But there is the double break, as Paolini reaches a drop shot but gets too ambitious at the worst time, hitting wide in the process.

Paolini laughs after she makes an awful challenge on Vekic’s serve – one of the worst I’ve ever seen. That was miles inside the service box!

15-15, and Paolini tries to match Vekic’s power but pushes a backhand just long. She’s visibly frustrated at herself. 30-15.

Again Paolini goes long on a backhand. 40-15.

A rare error by Vekic, and it’s 40-30.

But the Croat holds as Paolini flings a forehand well long. The Italian needs to arrest this slide.

Break! Paolini falls to 30-40, then hits a forehand high into the net!

It felt like that had been coming, in truth.

Vekic moves ahead in this first set...

*denotes next server

Big hitting on display from Vekic as she gives Paolini the runaround and holds to love.

So far the Croat has been able to win points in quicker fashion, and hold in smoother fashion; Paolini is having to work harder at this point.

Again Paolini is forced to stretch for a backhand volley, which she sends wide like her last one. 0-15.

Brilliant forehand winner by the Italian now, though! She whips it crosscourt with a ton of pace, keeping it low and accurate. 15-15.

30-15, but then Paolini flicks a forehand long. 30-30.

Vekic with another drop shot, but this time she can’t beat the tape. 40-30.

And Paolini holds as Vekic hits long.