It was a second consecutive Grand Slam final defeat for the 28-year-old late bloomer after losing to defending champion and world number one Iga Świątek at the French Open last month.
The Tuscan player, who had already made history by becoming the first Italian woman to reach a Wimbledon final, made a shaky start and lost her serve twice as she surrendered the first set.
But she roared back in the second, when she finally managed to put Krejcikova under pressure on her serve and immediately saw it pay off, taking two games against it.
The third set went with serve until the seventh game, when Paolini conceded the second of two break points with a double fault.
She made Krejcikova work hard for the title, earning two break points in the final game and saving two championship points against her before finally going down.
Paolini, who had never won a game on grass before this season, was gracious in defeat.
“You play such beautiful tennis Barbora,” said the Italian, who became a favourite with fans at Wimbledon with her big smile and cheerful disposition.
“Congratulations to you and your team.
“Today I’m a bit sad. I’m trying to keep smiling because I have to remember that today is still a beautiful day.
“I’m in a Wimbledon final and when I was a kid I watched the final and rooted for Federer.
“It’s crazy to be here.
“From Paris to Wimbledon, the last two months have been crazy, and these last two weeks even more so.
“It was beautiful to feel the love of the public.”
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid tribute to Paolini after the match.
“Proud of Jasmine Paolini,” Meloni said via social media.
“The first Italian tennis player to reach the final of the prestigious Wimbledon tournament.
“Despite the defeat, you lit up the hearts of the Italian people, succeeding in conveying grit and passion to all of us who supported you.”
ANSA
