Three break points for Donna Vekic in rapid time and she takes it at the third attempt with her trusty drop shot, which Jasmine Paolini can only spoon wide.

Long way back for the Italian now in this first set.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Jasmine Paolini finished off her quarter-final win over Emma Navarro of the United States in less than an hour, but this semi-final is going to be a much tougher task.

Vekic had a break-point chance in the first game of the match, but the fired-up Italian saw it off, with the athletic and hard-working Paolini pretty much producing a fist pump after every point she wins.

But she is having to deal with some absolutely brutal striking of the ball from Donna Vekic and that power has enabled the Croat to take the first break of serve, with it coming in the fifth game of the match.

Both players are well supported and they are treating the fans to a great spectacle so far, but it's Vekic's followers who will be the happiest at the moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Donna Vekic continues to look strong on serve, especially during the rallies, where she is getting the better of Jasmine Paolini so far.

As I type this, a double fault from the Croatian brings the score to 40-30 but she makes amends as Paolini can't control a forehand on the next point which goes out.

A big hold of serve for Alfie Hewett to keep the second set on serve. The Briton had to save a two breaks points but finds a way to come through with a forehand down the line.

And now an opportunity to break as Stephane Houdet double faults for the sixth time in this match and Hewitt moves into a 40-0 lead. Three shots at break point, can he take one?

Houdet saves the first and comes out on top in a remarkable rally to save the second but Hewett executes a lovely drop shot to get the break.

Nick Mullins
BBC Sport commentator at Wimbledon

Donna Vekic established break point in the first service game and she engineered another.

The first significant punch in this semi-final is delivered by the Croat.

Donna Vekic is the first to break as Jasmine Paolini puts a forehand down the line into net.

She celebrates with a fist pump towards her coaching team.

Image source, Getty Images

Donna Vekic has Jasmine Paolini scampering from the back to the front of the court as a lob and an exquisite drop shot bring the Croat to 30-30.

She then earns her second break point of the match as the Italian puts a forehand into the net.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

It was really tense on court three - until a few seconds ago.

Stephane Houdet played a sublime return that Alfie Hewett couldn't really get to, and in the end the Briton ended up deflecting the ball right into the face of a line judge.

There was a momentary gasp on court until the judge gave us all a thumbs up. He saw the funny side of things and even shared a chuckle with Hewett.

Ashleigh Barty
Three-time Grand Slam champion on BBC TV

Donna Vekic wants to get inside the baseline off her own serve then Jasmine Paolini has to guess as Vekic's speed is too good.

Chanda Rubin
American former world number six on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

You look at how both players are trying to play, we're seeing a bit of push and pull.

Donna Vekic has powerful groundstrokes, more powerful that Jasmine Paolini has probably faced up to this point.

Interesting as they both fence for position in these opening stages.

Donna Vekic is looking very confident on serve as she breezes to 40-0 before a forehand winner whizzes past a stranded Jasmine Paolini.

Straightforward hold for the unseeded Croat.

Kim Clijsters
Four-time Grand Slam champion on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Jasmine Paolini makes you play your best tennis. If you're feeling a little bit off and a little bit nervous, it's harder to aim for the lines and hit the ball deep enough.

She is able to take over the point very well and that's what she does. Donna [Vekic] is going to have to play a very clean match if she wants to beat her.

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport at Wimbledon

Alfie Hewett is chuntering to himself as he heads back to his mark, shaking his head. "What am I doing?" he mouths to his coach.

He also stared at his team after he failed to return a powerful Stephane Houdet serve at the end of that game.

"Reset yourself, mate" his coach said to him. "Energy Alf, energy."

Image source, Getty Images

Jasmine Paolini apologises as a forehand winner brushes the top of the net, before a good, flat return from Donna Vekic helps bring the score to 30-30.

That Vekic drop shot didn't work as it glides into the net, prompting a deep breath from the Croatian.

Paolini then secures the game as Vekic goes long.

What a response from Stephane Houdet.

The Frenchman hits back immediately with a break to love to prevent Alfie Hewett running away with proceedings as he did in the first set.

We're back level and back on serve.

Tracy Austin
Two-time Grand Slam champion on BBC TV

There is the drop shot that we talked about it is so well disguised off the racket of Vekic.

A lovely backhand down the line from Donna Vekic gets the Croat on the board on serve, before wrongfooting Jasmine Paolini with a forehand winner.

Vekic then pulls out the first drop shot of the match - that always brings a reaction from the crowd - before wrapping up the game with an ace.

Image source, Getty Images

Ashleigh Barty
Three-time Grand Slam champion on BBC TV

Fabulous tennis from Jasmine Paolini, she loves moving forward.

For Paolini to get through that service game it is nice to settle the nerves, but you can see the challenge she faces against Donna Vekic.

The movement from Paolini is a big strength. For Vekic, she will have to be patient at times to construct the points well.

Chanda Rubin
American former world number six on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Jasmine Paolini has adjusted her game to grass. Her mental belief has shifted. She believes she can beat her opponents and that is the biggest difference.

Break point saved by Jasmine Paolini as Donna Vekic finds the net.

The Italian then comes to the net to smash a volley for advantage, before wrapping up the game with Vekic unable to return a good first serve.

A very competitive first game.