This is heady company that Jasmine Paolini is keeping.

With her spirited victory in a record-breaking semi-final, she joined Steffi Graf, Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Venus Williams as the only women this century to reach the singles final at both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon finals in the same year.

“Two Grand Slam finals in a row was crazy to believe,” beamed Paolini, who becomes the first woman to achieve the feat since Serena Williams in 2016.

And while she’s proud to be listed alongside such illustrious names in tennis, the 28-year-old is even prouder to star in her own right.

Having already made history as the first Italian woman of the Open Era to reach a Wimbledon semi-final, she added to that milestone by progressing to the Championship match.

Paolini recalls the earlier benchmark set by countrywomen Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Roberta Vinci and Sara Errani as they lifted trophies or contested finals at other major tournaments.

“I remember the Grand Slam finals that they made. I think it's really important for the next generation having people that can do great things. They can show you that it's possible," said Paolini, the first Italian woman to contest a final at two different majors.

“They (were) inspiring me so much. But I don't want to compare too much because I'm writing my own story, my own career."

And no player has a story quite like Paolini’s.

From outside the world’s top 30 early in the season, the Italian will become a top five player after this Fortnight; alongside her two Grand Slam finals appearances, she reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and claimed her biggest career title in Dubai this year.

As she’s shown at The Championships, Paolini’s superb athleticism - helped by the appointment of a fitness trainer, Andrea, last season – is a factor in her rise.

So too is her unstoppable spirit. After securing her come-from-behind win over Donna Vekic in two hours and 51 minutes, Paolini was gifted a standing ovation for her turnaround in the superb match, which was the longest ladies' semi-final in Wimbledon history.

“It was really tough. Today was really, really tough. At the beginning, I was really struggling. She was serving really well. She was making me run every ball,” said Paolini of the battle she’d endured.

“I wasn't serving well. I was just trying to repeat to myself to keep going, try to be close to her, yeah, just believe that the match can turn whenever … I won the second set, then I won the third. It was a really, really tough match mentally and physically, as well."

The ever-smiling Italian explained how the positivity that’s made her such a huge fan favourite has always come naturally.

“Now, I'm really enjoying playing in the big stadium. I feel grateful to the crowd that is watching me. Yeah, I'm just enjoying it,” she added. “I love to play in these kinds of courts. It feels more special. Also to play important matches, it's so special. I'm so grateful that also the crowd was cheering for me. Yeah, it's a great feeling I think for a tennis player.”

Paolini aims to add to that experience when she meets Barbora Krejcikova in the Championship match on Saturday.

“It’s going to be a Wimbledon final, so it's a different kind of match,” she noted. “It’s always the same things the goal: to try to serve well (and) today I didn't. I have to try to return as many balls as possible, and to control the point.

“On the grass, it is tough to defend. So the goal on Saturday will be that one, for sure, in terms of the game (and) the tactic.”

And for all the heights she has achieved at SW19 lately, the No.7 seed will also keep her feet firmly on the ground.

“I’m trying, as I said, to live in the present and to enjoy what I'm doing and don't forget where I am. I think it's a really privileged position, and I have to keep that in focus,” she pointed out.

“Also, sometimes I'm trying to say to myself, ‘Okay, jokes apart, enjoy, but stay also focused and think about what you have to do to step on court and give the 100 per cent that you have’.”